Marijuana Studies

THC Metabolism

The amount of time required to metabolize THC has shown considerable variation from person to person and study to study. The period required to eliminate THC from the body should not be confused with the duration of the drug's psychoactive effects. People stop feeling high long before THC has left their bodies. Intoxication rarely last more than a few hours, with orally administered doses lasting longer than smoked cannabis. After an intravenous injection of THC, blood levels peak almost...

Involuntary Movement

Several disorders show unintentional muscle contractions comparable to spasticity, but these diseases lead to more dramatic, debilitating motion. They can create some of the same problems associated with spasticity, including difficulty sleeping and trouble with fine motor tasks. Given the large number of cannabinoid receptors in the brain's motor areas, a few studies have examined the potential therapeutic effects of cannabinoids in movement disorders, including Tourette's, Huntington's...

Stepping Stones Gateways and the Prevention of Drug Problems

Researchers, theorists, politicians, and parents have all expressed concern about marijuana's potential to lead to the use of drugs with worse negative consequences. Proponents of these stepping-stone and gateway theories suggest that even if the adverse effects of marijuana are minimal, the drug can still cause trouble by ushering users toward the consumption of other illicit substances, including heroin and crack. According to this premise, marijuana should remain a primary concern because...