© Copyright 2008 by D. Mason. All rights reserved. REVISED 06-08 1 Marijuana: Risk or Recreation?

© Copyright 2008 by D. Mason. All rights reserved. REVISED 06-08 1

Marijuana:Risk or Recreation?


The most abused illicit drug

74.2% of illicit drug users use marijuana.o 54.5% report use of marijuana only.o 19.6% report use of marijuana and some other drug.

National Survey on Drug Abuse & Health, 2005


“But it’s only weed, right?” “Soft” drug vs. “Hard” drug Over the last decade, fewer high school

seniors see it as harmful:1991: 78.6%

2000: 58.3%

2006: 57.9% (Monitoring the Future – 2006)

Adult support of legalization is increasing 34% in 2001 from 12% in1969

Confusing messages


Messages We HearAbout Marijuana

It’s medicine vs. It damages the body

It leads to other drug use

vs. It doesn’t lead to other drug use

It’s safer than alcohol vs. It’s a dangerous drug

It’s addictive vs. It’s not addictive

It should be legal vs. It should stay illegal


Result? Despite a few years of improvement, use has

increased -- especially among 18 – 25 yr. oldso Use in past month:

1997: 12.8%

2000: 13.6%

2003: 17.0%

2004: 16.1%

2005: 16.6%

National Survey on Drug Abuse & Health


“Regular” Use of Marijuana

8th Grade 10th Grade 12th GradeNational 6.5% 14.2% 18.3%

Local (Franklin Co.)

6.5 % 14% 19%

Sources: 2006 Monitoring the Future Survey & 2006 Franklin Co. PPAAUS Survey


Breakdown of Positive Workplace Tests

1999 2003 2006

Marijuana 62.2% 54.9% 53.0%

Cocaine 16.2% 14.6% 15.0%

Opiates 5.3% 6.4% 6.6%

Amphetamines 4.5% 9.3% 8.8%

Quest Diagnostics’ 2006 Drug Testing Index


Question:

Are there known impairment and health risks from the

use of marijuana? And … it is important to understand that we don’t want to conclude anything from one single study, but instead, look at trends in an entire body of objective research.

Before we do that, let’s get on the same page regarding some of the basics about marijuana.


Marijuana Smoke Contents Over 400 naturally occurring chemicals Unique to marijuana: cannabinoids

o Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinal (THC)• Fat soluble

• Half-life of 2 – 8 days• The first time a person uses, ½ of the smoked THC gets stored in the fatty-lipids of the

cell walls will still be there up to 8 days after smoking. 8 days later, ½ of that will still be there and so on. Average “half life” is 4 days.

• Accumulates with regular use• Causes the mind-altering effects of

marijuana


Is Marijuana Stronger Today?

Average THC levels:o 1978 -- 1.37%o 2002 -- 6.79% o 2006 -- 8.5%o 2008 – 9.6%

Methods of use are changingo Blunts = 2-4 joints

Agricultural “advancements” Additives mixed with other drugs – including crack (especially in blunts), PCP,

formaldehyde and codeine cough syrup – sometimes without the user being aware of it.


How Long Does THC Stay in the System?

It depends!o Variables include:

• How much use• How often use• Strength of the weed used• Person’s fat content (fatty lipids)• Person’s “half life”


Marijuana & Impairment

Typical dose is roughly equal to .08 BAC (DOT cut off .04)

Mental vs. physical impairment co-workers may find it difficult to get the user’s attention quickly, perceptions of time and distance can be off, the user may find it hard to identify quickly enough what he/she need to do after something unexpected happens, etc.

Complex mental functions multi-tasking on the job or in a car).

Results? Users are often impaired MORE and well BEFORE they realize it!


CommonImpairment Effects

Attentiono Selective attentiono Shiftingo Filtering useless information

Visiono Tracking moving objects (road signs)o Peripheral vision

Depth perception (3D) Perception of time

o Experiences seem to last longero Lose track of how long a task has been performed


CommonImpairment Effects continued

Reflexeso Reaction timeo Responding to the unexpectedo Doing more than 1 thing at a time

Judgmento Evaluating what action is neededo Misjudging space and time

Memoryo Short-term memoryo Pro-users even acknowledge this

Perception of performance They almost always overestimate their performance.


Impairment is Real

Emergency room episodes 14% of all ED visits Trauma centers Pilot studies not only while high but also lingering. On the road One study gave roadside sobriety tests to

subjects: 90 minutes after smoking - 94% failed 2 ½ hours after smoking - 60% still failed

On the job Is it possible to do mundane tasks and be high or to deal with lingering impairment effects? Yes. BUT, how many of us are doing mundane tasks? Especially on the job?


Risks of THC Accumulation Impairments linger

o 4x/week – effect on short-term memory can last 2 weeks

o Regular users- 2 mos. for “fog” to lift

Lower verbal IQs Long-term memory problems Decreased cognitive functions

o Making decisions, cause/effect, reasoning

o Similar to “pre-frontal syndrome”

o Appear to be reversible


Marijuana & Health

Compared to tobaccoo Hotter smoke

o Held in the lungs longer

o More tar gets to the lungs and 4x more stays in the lungs after exhaling

o Marijuana tar contains 50 - 70% more of some carcinogens

5x higher level of carbon monoxide in blood after smoking (than we normally inhale)


Marijuana & Health

Respiratory problemso Similar to tobacco use

Cancerso THC by itself not thought to be carcinogenico Study – 2 joints = amt. of pre-cancerous cell damage as

28 cigaretteso Study – 10x risk for one rare form of childhood leukemia


Marijuana & Health Heart problems

o Increases heart rateo Greatest risks seem to be those those with

hidden heart disease Immune system

o May interfere with body’s ability to fight off infectious diseases and cancer

Mental health issueso Increased odds of depression and anxietyo Increased risk of schizophrenia


Is Marijuana Medicine? There are some marijuana-like medicines available

o Some are legal in U.S. and some are not Goal of medical marijuana laws… is to make weed in its natural form

medically available – whether smoked, eaten or drank in tea.

• Chemicals in marijuana vs. smoking leaves/buds Some ingredients in marijuana have shown certain potential benefits.

• BUT, the risks of smoking marijuana are hard to overcome. Some evidence for:

o Anti-nausea for chemotherapy & AIDSo Anti-glaucomao Pain reliefo Appetite stimulation

Strength & purity issues


Is Marijuana Addictive? Tolerance Loss of control Withdrawal – Confusing with ½ life

o Craving

o Irritability

o Nervousness

o Depression

o Restlessness

o “Free-floating” anger

o etc.

In U.S., 100,000 per year seek treatment


Social Implications Crime

o ALL adult arrestees – 44% of males & 32% of females tested + for weed

Workplaceo 55% more Accidents & 85 % more injuries

o 75% increase Attendance

Schoolo Grades

o Graduation


Parents …

Youth cite YOU as the biggest influence over the choices they make about alcohol,

tobacco and other drug use!

Be aware of prevalence Know the signs Stay involved Ask questions KNOW the facts


Help is Available Check your company policy

Contact your Program Administrator for other help resources

Freevibe – www.freevibe.com

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information – www.ncadi.samhsa.gov


Conclusions

Evidence of impairment Significant health risks Evidence of addiction Even if some medical uses exist, that does

NOT mean “recreational” use is safe Abstinence is the best choice Reach out for more information!

Documents

© Copyright 2008 by D. Mason. All rights reserved. REVISED 06-08 1 Marijuana: Risk or Recreation?