Marijuana

Marijuana is the most commonly used drug in the U.S. The colors range from brown to green and the drug is a mix of flower stems, seeds and leaves of the cannabis plant. It is usually smoked, either by rolling it into a cigarette or by lighting it in a pipe. It is sometimes ingested orally, either by mixing it in with food or by placing the leaves in tea. In its more concentrated forms, it makes hashish which is a black liquid, or oil. Marijuana is currently a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act because it has a high potential for abuse, no legal medical use and is not safe for use.

Health Effects

After being smoked, the effects last on the brain for about 1-3 hours depending on the user and the type of marijuana. If it is ingested orally, the effects last longer, up to about 4 hours. Within a few minutes of taking the drug, the heart rate of the user increases, the bronchial passages relax and the blood vessels in the eyes expand. These effects will increase if marijuana is combined with other drugs.

THC enters the brain soon after taking the drug and will produce a euphoric feeling in the user. Dopamine is released and the reward systems will active in the brain. As a result, certain activities, such as eating or drinking will have an increased pleasure response.

Sensations may change, including color and sound. These effects will pass away slowly as the drug wears off. Dry mouth, hunger and thirst will result. Once the effects have gone, the user may feel sleepy, cold or depressed.

Long-Term

The most common problem amongst marijuana smokers is respiratory difficulties after long-term use. Usually these problems are very similar to the health effects of cigarettes including chronic coughing, increased chance for lung infections and obstructed airways. Marijuana has also been seen to increase the rate of cancer of those who smoke it regularly. In fact, marijuana contains about 50-70 percent more carcinogens than tobacco.

Trafficking

Mexico is the principle source of marijuana imports to the United States today. The amount of marijuana that is being imported through the Mexico-U.S. border has drastically increased since the early 21st century. However, Mexico is not the only country on America’s border which is actively growing marijuana. In recent years, marijuana production in Canada has increase significantly. Most of the marijuana imported into the U.S. still comes from Mexico, however a rise in smuggling between Canada and the U.S. has increased the availability of the drug.

Although America has increased its efforts to eliminate domestic marijuana production, law enforcement reports show a significant increase in grow sites since 2005. These grow sites are often set up on public land which is protected by the Forest Service. Between domestic production and imports, the marijuana is readily available throughout the U.S. and it used frequently all over the country.