71-428: Cannabis ( / ˈ k æ n ə b ɪ s / ), commonly known as marijuana ( / ˌ m æ r ə ˈ w ɑː n ə / ), weed , and pot , among other names , is a non-chemically uniform drug from the cannabis plant. Native to Central or South Asia, the cannabis plant has been used as a drug for both recreational and entheogenic purposes and in various traditional medicines for centuries. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
142-572: A chemical substance used in religious, shamanic , or spiritual contexts – in the Indian subcontinent since the Vedic period . The earliest known reports regarding the sacred status of cannabis in the Indian subcontinent come from the Atharva Veda , estimated to have been composed sometime around 1400 BCE. The Hindu god Shiva is described as a cannabis user, known as the "Lord of bhang ". In modern culture,
213-475: A gifting economy in which stores and businesses exchange cannabis as a gift for t-shirts or other items such as stickers etc, which are actually being purchased by customers, thereby creating a commercial market linked to selling other objects. This has flourished as an essentially unregulated gray market. A number of cannabis " pop-ups " have appeared in D.C., hosting events in which donations are accepted and cannabis distributed. Although D.C. law prohibits
284-464: A screening test in the field, but it cannot definitively confirm the presence of cannabis, as a large range of substances have been shown to give false positives. Researchers at John Jay College of Criminal Justice reported that dietary zinc supplements can mask the presence of THC and other drugs in urine. However, a 2013 study conducted by researchers at the University of Utah School of Medicine refute
355-446: A vaporizer , consuming THC in pill form, or consuming cannabis foods . There is concern that cannabis may contribute to cardiovascular disease, but as of 2018, evidence of this relationship was unclear. Research in these events is complicated because cannabis is often used in conjunction with tobacco, and drugs such as alcohol and cocaine that are known to have cardiovascular risk factors. Smoking cannabis has also been shown to increase
426-412: A causal relationship between cannabis use and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease . Short-term use of cannabis is associated with bronchodilation . Other side effects of cannabis use include cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), a condition which involves recurrent nausea, cramping abdominal pain, and vomiting. Cannabis smoke contains thousands of organic and inorganic chemical compounds. This tar
497-635: A conclusion. Cannabis use is associated with increased risk of anxiety disorders, although causality has not been established. A review in 2019 found that research was insufficient to determine the safety and efficacy of using cannabis to treat schizophrenia, psychosis, or other mental disorders . Another found that cannabis during adolescence was associated with an increased risk of developing depression and suicidal behavior later in life, while finding no effect on anxiety. Heavy, long-term exposure to marijuana may have physical, mental, behavioral and social health consequences. It may be "associated with diseases of
568-423: A decrease in short-term memory, dry mouth, impaired motor skills, reddening of the eyes, dizziness, feeling tired and vomiting. Some users may experience an episode of acute psychosis , which usually abates after six hours, but in rare instances, heavy users may find the symptoms continuing for many days. Legalization has increased the rates at which children are exposed to cannabis, particularly from edibles. While
639-456: A drug use testing program or a forensic investigation of a traffic or other criminal offense. The concentrations obtained from such analyses can often be helpful in distinguishing active use from passive exposure, elapsed time since use, and extent or duration of use. These tests cannot, however, distinguish authorized cannabis smoking for medical purposes from unauthorized recreational smoking. Commercial cannabinoid immunoassays , often employed as
710-609: A drug. Emergency room (ER) admissions associated with cannabis use rose significantly from 2012 to 2016; adolescents from age 12–17 had the highest risk. At one Colorado medical center following legalization, approximately two percent of ER admissions were classified as cannabis users. The symptoms of one quarter of these users were partially attributed to cannabis (a total of 2567 out of 449,031 patients); other drugs were sometimes involved. Of these cannabis admissions, one quarter were for acute psychiatric effects , primarily suicidal ideation , depression, and anxiety. An additional third of
781-467: A limited number of territories, including Canada, Belgium , Australia, the Netherlands , New Zealand, Spain, and many U.S. states . This usage generally requires a prescription, and distribution is usually done within a framework defined by local laws. According to DEA Chief Administrative Law Judge, Francis Young, "cannabis is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man". Being under
SECTION 10
#1732858877993852-521: A longer period of abstinence was associated with smaller magnitudes of impairment, both retrospective and prospective memory were impaired in cannabis users. The authors concluded that some, but not all, of the deficits associated with cannabis use were reversible. A 2012 meta-analysis found that deficits in most domains of cognition persisted beyond the acute period of intoxication, but was not evident in studies where subjects were abstinent for more than 25 days. Few high quality studies have been performed on
923-489: A mandatory 30-day review period, in accordance with the District of Columbia Home Rule Act . On February 24, 2015, Representatives Jason Chaffetz and Mark Meadows sent a letter to Bowser urging her to not move forward with Initiative 71. Congressional Republicans, including the omnibus rider author's Andy Harris , threatened prison time for the D.C. mayor and others involved, suggesting that they could be prosecuted by
994-685: A public event where they handed out free cannabis cigarettes to anyone with a Congressional ID badge. Less than a week later, Eidinger was arrested again by Capitol Police on 24 April, along with three other activists, during a "smoke-in" protest on Capitol Hill. Washington D.C. hosts a yearly event called the National Cannabis Festival . The festival includes music concerts, an education pavilion, and vendor fair. The legalization of recreational cannabis with gifting up to one ounce (28 g) of cannabis as outlined in Initiative 71, has created
1065-527: A record 44% of the US population has tried marijuana in their lifetime, an increase from 38% in 2013 and 33% in 1985. Marijuana use in the United States is three times above the global average, but in line with other Western democracies. Forty-four percent of American 12th graders have tried the drug at least once, and the typical age of first-use is 16, similar to the typical age of first-use for alcohol but lower than
1136-473: A regulatory system is implemented following an affirmative vote by the residents on a 2014 ballot initiative. The United States Congress exercises oversight over the government of the District of Columbia , preventing the local government from regulating cannabis sales like other jurisdictions with authority derived from a U.S. state . Although marijuana is legal under District law, the possession of marijuana
1207-451: Is associated with cumulative cannabis exposure, and is reversed after one month of abstinence. There is limited evidence that chronic cannabis use can reduce levels of glutamate metabolites in the human brain. About 9% of those who experiment with marijuana eventually become dependent according to DSM-IV (1994) criteria. A 2013 review estimates daily use is associated with a 10–20% rate of dependence. The highest risk of cannabis dependence
1278-521: Is associated with heavy cannabis use, although the relationship is inconsistent and weaker than for tobacco and other substances. The direction of cause and effect , however, is unclear. The long-term effects of cannabis are not clear. There are concerns surrounding memory and cognition problems , risk of addiction, and the risk of schizophrenia in young people. Although global abnormalities in white matter and grey matter are not consistently associated with cannabis use, reduced hippocampal volume
1349-523: Is by far the most widely used illicit substance, with the highest use among adults (as of 2018) in Zambia , the United States , Canada , and Nigeria . Between 1973 and 1978, eleven states decriminalized marijuana. In 2001, Nevada reduced marijuana possession to a misdemeanor and since 2012, several other states have decriminalized and even legalized marijuana. In 2018, surveys indicated that almost half of
1420-453: Is chemically similar to that found in tobacco smoke, and over fifty known carcinogens have been identified in cannabis smoke, including; nitrosamines, reactive aldehydes, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons , including benz[a]pyrene. Cannabis smoke is also inhaled more deeply than tobacco smoke. As of 2015, there is no consensus regarding whether cannabis smoking is associated with an increased risk of cancer. Light and moderate use of cannabis
1491-429: Is consistently found. Amygdala abnormalities are sometimes reported, although findings are inconsistent. Cannabis use is associated with increased recruitment of task-related areas, such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex , which is thought to reflect compensatory activity due to reduced processing efficiency. Cannabis use is also associated with downregulation of CB 1 receptors. The magnitude of down regulation
SECTION 20
#17328588779931562-602: Is disputed by some scholars, including writers at The Boston Globe and Reason Magazine . Slang names for cannabis that were identified by the Drug Enforcement Administration in 2017–2018 and are not corroborated by another source include: Cannabis in Washington, D.C. In Washington, D.C. , cannabis is legal for both medical use and recreational use for possession, personal use, cultivation, transportation and gifting, and for retail sale once
1633-408: Is felt within minutes when smoked, but may take up to 90 minutes when eaten (as orally consumed drugs must be digested and absorbed). The effects last for two to six hours, depending on the amount used. At high doses, mental effects can include anxiety , delusions (including ideas of reference ), hallucinations , panic , paranoia , and psychosis . There is a strong relation between cannabis use and
1704-440: Is formally known as acute cannabis-associated psychotic symptoms (CAPS). At an epidemiological level, a dose–response relationship exists between cannabis use and increased risk of psychosis and earlier onset of psychosis. Although the epidemiological association is robust, evidence to prove a causal relationship is lacking. Cannabis may also increase the risk of depression, but insufficient research has been performed to draw
1775-638: Is found in those with a history of poor academic achievement, deviant behavior in childhood and adolescence, rebelliousness, poor parental relationships, or a parental history of drug and alcohol problems. Of daily users, about 50% experience withdrawal upon cessation of use (i.e. are dependent), characterized by sleep problems, irritability, dysphoria, and craving. Cannabis withdrawal is less severe than withdrawal from alcohol. According to DSM-V criteria, 9% of those who are exposed to cannabis develop cannabis use disorder, compared to 20% for cocaine , 23% for alcohol and 68% for nicotine . Cannabis use disorder in
1846-400: Is insufficient for drawing conclusions about safety or efficacy. There is evidence supporting the use of cannabis or its derivatives in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, neuropathic pain, and multiple sclerosis. Lower levels of evidence support its use for AIDS wasting syndrome , epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis, and glaucoma. The medical use of cannabis is legal only in
1917-521: Is legalized only in the Australian Capital Territory . Cannabis is a Scythian word. The ancient Greeks learned of the use of cannabis by observing Scythian funerals, during which cannabis was consumed. In Akkadian , cannabis was known as qunubu ( 𐎯𐎫𐎠𐎭𐏂 ). The word was adopted in to the Hebrew as qaneh bosem ( קָנֶה בֹּשׂם ). Medical cannabis, or medical marijuana, refers to
1988-409: Is mostly used recreationally or as a medicinal drug, although it may also be used for spiritual purposes. In 2013, between 128 and 232 million people used cannabis (2.7% to 4.9% of the global population between the ages of 15 and 65). It is the most commonly used largely-illegal drug in the world, with the highest use among adults in Zambia , the United States , Canada , and Nigeria . Since the 1970s,
2059-582: Is not believed to increase risk of lung or upper airway cancer. Evidence for causing these cancers is mixed concerning heavy, long-term use. In general there are far lower risks of pulmonary complications for regular cannabis smokers when compared with those of tobacco. A 2015 review found an association between cannabis use and the development of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs), particularly non- seminoma TGCTs. Another 2015 meta-analysis found no association between lifetime cannabis use and risk of head or neck cancer. Combustion products are not present when using
2130-470: Is still illegal under federal law. Marijuana prohibition is enforced on federal lands , including national parks and military property . The federal government controls about 29% of the District's total land area, about 18 square miles (47 km ), including the National Mall , West Potomac Park , Rock Creek Park , and Joint Base Anacostia–Bolling . In 1906, Congress introduced An act to regulate
2201-565: Is the main psychoactive component of cannabis, which is one of the 483 known compounds in the plant, including at least 65 other cannabinoids , such as cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabis can be used by smoking , vaporizing , within food , or as an extract . Cannabis has various mental and physical effects , which include euphoria , altered states of mind and sense of time , difficulty concentrating, impaired short-term memory , impaired body movement (balance and fine psychomotor control), relaxation, and an increase in appetite . Onset of effects
Cannabis (drug) - Misplaced Pages Continue
2272-481: The Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq. ) or any tetrahydrocannabinols derivative for recreational purposes." The final language notably solely used the phrase "enact" rather than "enact or carry out." Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton said that "she was told by Democratic budget negotiators that the omission was made on purpose to give city leaders a chance to argue that in moving forward,
2343-495: The Council of the District of Columbia decriminalized possession of cannabis. The new law went into effect in July, following the mandatory 30-day congressional review period. Congress sought to block D.C.'s decriminalization through another rider. On June 25, 2014, House Republicans, led by Maryland representative Andy Harris blocked funding for the D.C. law. The Harris amendment bans
2414-523: The Council of the District of Columbia passed a bill legalizing medical marijuana. The Congress did not overrule the measure within the 30-legislative-day period, and as a result medical cannabis became legal on January 1, 2011. Though carefully regulated through a lengthy permitting process, dispensaries began opening and cultivation centers were allowed. In a January 2014 poll by The Washington Post , roughly eight in 10 city residents supported legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana. On March 4, 2014,
2485-640: The Justice Department under the Antideficiency Act , which "imposes criminal penalties on government employees who knowingly spend public funds in excess of their appropriated budgets." Between 2010 and 2015, the total number of marijuana-distribution arrests made by all police agencies in DC (the Metropolitan Police Department , Metro Transit Police Department , and federal agencies such as
2556-555: The U.S. Park Police and U.S. Capitol Police ), declined by 80%. The number of arrests for marijuana distribution and marijuana possession with intent to distribute was 1,378 in 2010, and 234 in 2015. In 2016, however, more than 400 people were arrested in D.C. for public consumption of marijuana, and numbers remained high in 2017. Arrests for marijuana distribution also sharply increased from 80 in 2015 to 220 in 2016. On 20 April 2017, local activist Adam Eidinger and six other activists were arrested by U.S. Capitol Police , during
2627-694: The recreational use of cannabis . The short title of the initiative was Legalization of Possession of Minimal Amounts of Marijuana for Personal Use Act of 2014 . The measure was approved by 64.87% of voters on November 4, 2014 and went into full effect February 26, 2015. Under the legalization measure that went into effect in 2015, persons over the age of 21 in D.C. may possess up to two ounces (57 g) of marijuana, grow up to six plants of three mature and three immature marijuana plants in their homes, and gift up to one ounce (28 g) of marijuana to another individual. Drug paraphernalia , such as bongs , were also legalized. The legalization measure allows for
2698-411: The μ- and δ-opioid receptors . THC also potentiates the effects of the glycine receptors . It is unknown if or how these actions contribute to the effects of cannabis. The high lipid-solubility of cannabinoids results in their persisting in the body for long periods of time. Even after a single administration of THC, detectable levels of THC can be found in the body for weeks or longer (depending on
2769-429: The "CRomnibus"—a portmanteau of omnibus and continuing resolution ) that ended the federal ban on medical marijuana , but that also included a legislative rider targeted at D.C.'s Initiative 71. The rider's final language barred the use of funds to "enact any law, rule, or regulation to legalize or otherwise reduce penalties associated with the possession, use, or distribution of any schedule I substance under
2840-405: The 20th century. In 2013, Uruguay became the first country to legalize recreational use of cannabis. Other countries to do so are Canada, Georgia , Germany , Luxembourg , Malta , South Africa , and Thailand . In the U.S., the recreational use of cannabis is legalized in 24 states , 3 territories, and the District of Columbia , though the drug remains federally illegal . In Australia , it
2911-505: The CB 2 receptor is found primarily in peripheral tissues, but is also expressed in neuroglial cells. THC appears to alter mood and cognition through its agonist actions on the CB 1 receptors, which inhibit a secondary messenger system ( adenylate cyclase ) in a dose-dependent manner. Via CB 1 receptor activation, THC indirectly increases dopamine release and produces psychotropic effects. CBD also acts as an allosteric modulator of
Cannabis (drug) - Misplaced Pages Continue
2982-516: The D.C. government from spending any funds on efforts to lessen penalties for Schedule I federal drug crimes. Harris argued that the D.C. law was "bad policy" assessing a fine of $ 25—a fraction of the $ 100 fine in Maryland. In response, activists launched the Boycott of Maryland's 1st District , Harris' constituency. Initiative 71 was a Washington, D.C. voter-approved ballot initiative that legalized
3053-488: The DSM-V involves a combination of DSM-IV criteria for cannabis abuse and dependence, plus the addition of craving, without the criterion related to legal troubles. From a clinical perspective, two significant school of thought exists for psychiatric conditions associated with cannabis (or cannabinoids) use: transient, non-persistent psychotic reactions, and longer-lasting, persistent disorders that resemble schizophrenia. The former
3124-426: The District is only carrying out, and not enacting, the measure." Norton reiterated this point in an Initiative 71 questions and answers section on her House Web site. Both D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser and the Council of the District of Columbia took the position that the voter-approved initiative became self-enacting. On January 13, 2015, D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson sent the measure to Congress for
3195-421: The amount administered and the sensitivity of the assessment method). Investigators have suggested that this is an important factor in marijuana's effects, perhaps because cannabinoids may accumulate in the body, particularly in the lipid membranes of neurons. The main psychoactive component of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is formed via decarboxylation of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) from
3266-402: The application of heat. Raw leaf is not psychoactive because the cannabinoids are in the form of carboxylic acids . THC is one of the 483 known compounds in the plant, including at least 65 other cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD). THC and its major (inactive) metabolite, THC-COOH , can be measured in blood, urine, hair, oral fluid or sweat using chromatographic techniques as part of
3337-472: The cases were for gastrointestinal issues including cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome . According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, there were 455,000 emergency room visits associated with cannabis use in 2011. These statistics include visits in which the patient was treated for a condition induced by or related to recent cannabis use. The drug use must be "implicated" in
3408-454: The dried leaves and flowers harvested from the cannabis plant for drug use. This list is not exhaustive; it includes well-attested expressions. Most slang names for marijuana and hashish date to the jazz era , when it was called gauge , jive , reefer . Weed is a commonly used slang term for drug cannabis . New slang names, like trees , came into use early in the twenty-first century. Whether all of these terms are slang names
3479-417: The effects of cannabis is usually referred to as being "high". Cannabis consumption has both psychoactive and physiological effects. The "high" experience can vary widely, based (among other things) on the user's prior experience with cannabis, and the type of cannabis consumed. When smoking cannabis, a euphoriant effect can occur within minutes of smoking. Aside from a subjective change in perception and mood,
3550-413: The emergency department visit, but does not need to be the direct cause of the visit. Most of the illicit drug emergency room visits involved multiple drugs. In 129,000 cases, cannabis was the only implicated drug. THC is a weak partial agonist at CB 1 receptors , while CBD is a CB 1 receptor antagonist. The CB 1 receptor is found primarily in the brain as well as in some peripheral tissues, and
3621-398: The first-use age for other illicit drugs. A 2022 Gallup poll concluded Americans are smoking more marijuana than cigarettes for the first time. Acute negative effects may include anxiety and panic, impaired attention and memory, an increased risk of psychotic symptoms, the inability to think clearly, and an increased risk of accidents. Cannabis impairs a person's driving ability, and THC
SECTION 50
#17328588779933692-414: The initial screening method when testing physiological specimens for marijuana presence, have different degrees of cross-reactivity with THC and its metabolites. Urine contains predominantly THC-COOH, while hair, oral fluid and sweat contain primarily THC. Blood may contain both substances, with the relative amounts dependent on the recency and extent of usage. The Duquenois–Levine test is commonly used as
3763-543: The initiative passed with 69% of the vote in November 1998, its implementation was delayed by Congress's passage of the Barr Amendment, which prohibited DC from using its funds in support of the program. This Amendment delayed the start of the medical marijuana program until it was effectively overturned in 2009, with the first DC customer legally purchasing medical cannabis at a dispensary in the District in 2013. In May 2010,
3834-563: The latter substances. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a severe condition seen in some chronic cannabis users where they have repeated bouts of uncontrollable vomiting for 24–48 hours. Four cases of death have been reported as a result of CHS. A limited number of studies have examined the effects of cannabis smoking on the respiratory system. Chronic heavy marijuana smoking is associated with respiratory infections , coughing, production of sputum, wheezing, and other symptoms of chronic bronchitis. The available evidence does not support
3905-533: The liver (particularly with co-existing hepatitis C ), lungs, heart, and vasculature". A 2014 review found that while cannabis use may be less harmful than alcohol use, the recommendation to substitute it for problematic drinking was premature without further study. Various surveys conducted between 2015 and 2019 found that many users of cannabis substitute it for prescription drugs (including opioids), alcohol, and tobacco; most of those who used it in place of alcohol or tobacco either reduced or stopped their intake of
3976-575: The long-term effects of cannabis on cognition, and the results were generally inconsistent. Furthermore, effect sizes of significant findings were generally small. One review concluded that, although most cognitive faculties were unimpaired by cannabis use, residual deficits occurred in executive functions . Impairments in executive functioning are most consistently found in older populations, which may reflect heavier cannabis exposure, or developmental effects associated with adolescent cannabis use. One review found three prospective cohort studies that examined
4047-810: The most common short-term physical and neurological effects include increased heart rate, increased appetite, impairment of short-term and working memory, and impairment of psychomotor coordination . Additional desired effects from consuming cannabis include relaxation, a general alteration of conscious perception , increased awareness of sensation, increased libido and distortions in the perception of time and space. At higher doses, effects can include altered body image , auditory or visual illusions , pseudohallucinations and ataxia from selective impairment of polysynaptic reflexes . In some cases, cannabis can lead to dissociative states such as depersonalization and derealization . Cannabis has held sacred status in several religions and has served as an entheogen –
4118-487: The people in the United States had tried marijuana, 16% had used it in the past year, and 11% had used it in the past month. In 2014, surveys said daily marijuana use amongst US college students had reached its highest level since records began in 1980, rising from 3.5% in 2007 to 5.9% in 2014 and had surpassed daily cigarette use. In the US, men are over twice as likely to use marijuana as women, and 18–29-year-olds are six times more likely to use as over-65-year-olds. In 2015,
4189-493: The possibility of self-administered zinc producing false-negative urine drug tests. CBD is a 5-HT 1A receptor agonist, which is under laboratory research to determine if it has an anxiolytic effect. It is often claimed that sativa strains provide a more stimulating psychoactive high while indica strains are more sedating with a body high. However, this is disputed by researchers. List of slang names for cannabis More than 1,200 slang names have been identified for
4260-513: The potency of illicit cannabis has increased, with THC levels rising and CBD levels dropping. Cannabis plants have been grown since at least the 3rd millennium BCE and there is evidence of it being smoked for its psychoactive effects around 500 BCE in the Pamir Mountains , Central Asia. Since the 14th century, cannabis has been subject to legal restrictions. The possession, use, and cultivation of cannabis has been illegal in most countries since
4331-453: The practice of pharmacy and the sale of poisons in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes , requiring that certain medicines, including cannabis, be limited to licensed pharmacists and prescribed. Initiative 59 was a 1998 Washington, D.C. voter-approved ballot initiative that sought to legalize medical cannabis . The short title of the initiative was "Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Treatment Initiative of 1998". Though
SECTION 60
#17328588779934402-524: The relationship between self-reported cannabis use and intelligence quotient (IQ). The study following the largest number of heavy cannabis users reported that IQ declined between ages 7–13 and age 38. Poorer school performance and increased incidence of leaving school early were both associated with cannabis use, although a causal relationship was not established. Cannabis users demonstrated increased activity in task-related brain regions, consistent with reduced processing efficiency. A reduced quality of life
4473-456: The risk of myocardial infarction by 4.8 times for the 60 minutes after consumption. There is preliminary evidence that cannabis interferes with the anticoagulant properties of prescription drugs used for treating blood clots . As of 2019, the mechanisms for the anti-inflammatory and possible pain relieving effects of cannabis were not defined, and there were no governmental regulatory approvals or clinical practices for use of cannabis as
4544-536: The risk of psychosis, though the direction of causality is debated. Physical effects include increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, nausea, and behavioral problems in children whose mothers used cannabis during pregnancy; short-term side effects may also include dry mouth and red eyes. Long-term adverse effects may include addiction, decreased mental ability in those who started regular use as adolescents, chronic coughing, susceptibility to respiratory infections , and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome . Cannabis
4615-550: The sale of marijuana by licensed retailers but no regulatory system has been implemented due to Congressional opposition. However, the legalization of gifting up to one ounce of cannabis as outlined in Initiative 71, has created a gifting economy, where stores and businesses in D.C. exchange cannabis as a gift with the purchases of items such as t-shirts, stickers etc, which are actually being purchased by customers. Public consumption of marijuana remains illegal. In mid-December 2014, Congress passed an omnibus spending bill (nicknamed
4686-441: The selling of cannabis, a number of entrepreneurs have sought to exploit the legal gray area around the drug. Kush Gods is a local company which accepts donations and distributes cannabis, with a fleet of cars decorated with vinyl wraps of cannabis leaves, while stating that they are not selling cannabis. The owner of Kush Gods pleaded guilty in 2016 to two counts of distributing cannabis. In January 2018, D.C. police raided
4757-457: The spiritual use of cannabis has been spread by the disciples of the Rastafari movement who use cannabis as a sacrament and as an aid to meditation. Many different ways to consume cannabis involve heat to decarboxylate THCA into THC; common modes include: In 2013, between 128 and 232 million people used cannabis (2.7% to 4.9% of the global population between the ages of 15 and 65). Cannabis
4828-419: The strain it can place on the cardiovascular system . Some deaths have also been attributed to cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome . There is an association between cannabis use and suicide, particularly in younger users. A 16-month survey of Oregon and Alaska emergency departments found a report of the death of an adult who had been admitted for acute cannabis toxicity. A 2015 meta-analysis found that, although
4899-421: The toxicity and lethality of THC in children is not known, they are at risk for encephalopathy, hypotension, respiratory depression severe enough to require ventilation, somnolence and coma. There is no clear evidence for a link between cannabis use and deaths from cardiovascular disease, but a 2019 review noted that it may be an under-reported, contributory factor or direct cause in cases of sudden death , due to
4970-631: The use of cannabis to treat disease or improve symptoms; however, there is no single agreed-upon definition (e.g., cannabinoids derived from cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids are also used). The rigorous scientific study of cannabis as a medicine has been hampered by production restrictions and by the fact that it is classified as an illegal drug by many governments. There is some evidence suggesting cannabis can be used to reduce nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy , to improve appetite in people with HIV/AIDS , or to treat chronic pain and muscle spasms . Evidence for its use for other medical applications
5041-437: Was the illicit drug most frequently found in the blood of drivers who have been involved in vehicle crashes. Those with THC in their system are from three to seven times more likely to be the cause of the accident than those who had not used either cannabis or alcohol, although its role is not necessarily causal because THC stays in the bloodstream for days to weeks after intoxication. Some immediate undesired side effects include
#992007