Marijuana and hashish are derived from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. Marijuana consists of the leaves and flowers of the hemp plant. Hashish is a resinous material scraped from Cannabis leaves. The main active chemical in marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (tet-rah-hydro-cah-NAB-ih-nol) of THC as an acronym.  THC is a mild hallucinogen, which is a substance that alters sensory impressions. Hallucinogens—the drug Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) is perhaps the best-known hallucinogen. Even when taken in tiny amounts, LSD can produce hallucinations and psychotic-like disturbances in thinking and perception. Two other common hallucinogens are mescaline (peyote) and psilocybin (magic mushrooms). Incidentally, the drug Phencyclidine (PCP) can have hallucinogenic effect. However, PCP, which is an anesthetic, also has stimulant and depressant effect. This potent combination can cause extreme agitation, disorientation, violence—and too often, tragedy. All of the hallucinogens, including marijuana, typically affect neurotransmitter systems that carry messages between brain cells. Marijuana’s psychological effects include a sense of euphoria or well-being, relaxation, altered time sense, and perceptual distortions. At high dosages, however, paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions can occur. All considered, marijuana intoxication is relatively subtle to such drugs as LSD or alcohol. However, you have to be careful. Even if marijuana is not laced with other drugs, it can be so strong that you pass out or fall asleep in an instance. Driving a car or operating heavy machinery, while on marijuana, can be extremely hazardous. As a matter of fact, driving under the influence of any intoxicating drug is extremely dangerous.

Some people have been hospitalized from smoking marijuana, so marijuana cannot be considered harmless. Particularly worrisome is the fact that THC accumulates in the body’s fatty tissues, especially in the brain and reproductive organs. Even if a person smokes just once a week, the body is never entirely free of THC. Scientists have located a specific receptor site on the surface of brain cells where THC binds to produce its effect. These receptor sites are found in large numbers in the cerebral cortex, which is the seat of human consciousness. Does marijuana produce physical dependence? Studies of long-term heavy users of failed to find any physical dependence. Marijuana’s potential for abuse rests primarily in the realm of psychological dependence, not addiction.  There have been very alarming reports in the press about the dangers of marijuana. Are they accurate? As one pharmacologist reported, William Randolph Hearst and those reading Good Housekeeping would have to believe that marijuana is considerably more dangerous than the black plague because people start to hear things and think too deeply and they create thoughts and situations, which may not be happening in reality. Unfortunately, an evaluation of marijuana’s risk has been clouded by an emotional debate. Let us see if we can make a realistic appraisal.

In the past, it was widely reported that marijuana causes brain damage, genetic damage, and a loss of motivation. These changes can be criticized for being based on poorly done or inconclusive research. However, that does not give marijuana a green light. For about a day after a person smokes marijuana, his or her attention and coordination and short-term memory are affected. Some people have gotten high, for the very first time, and reported feeling like they were out of their minds for weeks. People would talk to them, and they would just go blank and blackout standing up. Only to come to, without even hitting the ground, and have no memory of what just happened. In addition, long-term users tend to show small, but persistent learning, memory, attention and thinking. However, that is not always the case. Some people say that marijuana helps them concentrate, on their college studies. I had a friend who smoked a lot of marijuana, while at a private university, and got a 4.0, all four years. Nonetheless, for the average person, the changes in your behavior and thinking will be impaired, but the changes may be subtle, and can be a serious problem for frequent users.

Health Risk—in regular users, marijuana causes pre-cancerous changes in lung cells. However, at present, there is no direct link between marijuana and lung cancer has been proved, but it is suspected. Marijuana smoke contains 50 percent more cancer-causing hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke does. One marijuana cigarette has 16 times more tar than one tobacco cigarette. Thus, smoking several joints or blunts a week may be the equivalent of smoking a dozen cigarettes a day. Marijuana temporarily lowers sperm production in males, and users produce more abnormal sperm. This could be a problem for a man who is marginally fertile and wants to have a family. THC can cause women to have abnormal menstrual cycles and disrupt ovulation. THC causes higher rate of miscarriages and that it can reach the developing fetus. THC can also suppress the body’s immune system, possibly increasing the risk of disease. Marijuana can cause genetic damage within the cells of the body. It is not known to what extent this happens in humans, but it does suggest that marijuana can be detrimental to health. Activity levels in the cerebellum are lower than normal in most marijuana abusers. This may explain why chronic marijuana users tend to show some loss of coordination. There is some evidence that THC damages parts of the brain important for memory.

When the preceding findings are compared with the studies of veteran marijuana users, it is clear that no one can report with certainty that marijuana is extremely harmful or completely safe. Although, much is still unknown, marijuana appears to be in a class with two other potent drugs—tobacco and alcohol. Only future research will tell for sure what is in the pot. Why is drug abuse such a common problem? People seek drug experiences for any reason, ranging from curiosity, and a desire to belong to a group, to a search for meaning or an escape from feelings of inadequacy. Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Not only must our relationship to God be right, but the outward expression of that relationship must also be right. Ultimately, God will allow nothing to escape every detail of our lives is under God’s scrutiny. God never tired of bringing us back to that one point until we learn the lesson, because God’s purpose is to produce the finished product. God’s wonderful work in us makes us know that overall, we are right with Him. Whatever it may be, God will point out with persistence until we become entirely His.  My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my mind is lifted high. I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me.