Common Name: |
Grass |
Other Names: |
Cannabis, Hemp, Hasheesh, Indian Hemp, Marijuana, Pot, Weed |
Botanical Name: |
Cannabis sativa |
Genus: |
Cannabis |
Family: |
Cannabidaceae |
Native Location: |
C Asia |
Cultivation: |
Cultivation, harvesting, and processing of cannabis plants are subject to legal restrictions in many countries. Approved varieties for fiber (hemp) production, with no to low narcotic content, are permitted by liscense in producer countries. Subject to statuatory control as a weed in some countries, notably in various parts of Australia |
Height: |
90cm-5m (3-15ft) |
Width: |
30cm-1.5m (1-5ft) |
Variations: |
Subsp. indica (Cannabis, marijuana) Is rich in cannabinoids and essential oil.
Subsp. sativa (Hemp) Is hardier and lacks psychoactive compounds. |
Hardiness: |
Hardy |
Parts Used: |
Whole plant, oil (subsp. sativa); flowering tops, seeds (subsp. indica), Twigs tips. |
Properties: |
Subsp. indica has analgesic, anti-emetic, anti-inflammatory, and sedative properties; it is also a laxative and hypotensive. |
Medicinal Uses: |
Internally for nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy, to reduce ocular pressure in glaucoma, ease muscular stiffness and tremor in multiple sclerosis, and help AIDS patients gain weight (subsp. indica). Externally for corns, sores, and varicose ulcers (subsp. indica). Seeds (huo ma ren) are used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat constipation caused by debility or by fluid deficiency. To treat glaucoma, constipation, beriberi, gout, rheumatism, insomnia, cough, nerve pain, and asthma; to stimulate the appetite; to produce mind-altering effects. |
Possible Side Effects: |
Marijuana's side effects include impaired reaction time and motor coordination, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, panic, rapid heart rate, irregular heartbeat, and depression and other emotional disturbances. |
Drug Interactions: |
Taking marijuana with these drugs may increase the heart rate and the risk of delerium: |
Amitriptyline, (Elavil, Levate) |
Amitriptyline and Chlordiazepoxide, (Limbitrol) |
Amitriptyline and Perphenazine, (Etrafon, Triavil) |
Amoxapine, (Asendin) |
Clomipramine, (Anafranil, Novo-Clopramine) |
Desipramine, (Alti-Desipramine, Norpramin) |
Doxepin, (Sinequan, Zonalon) |
Imipramine, (Apo-Imipramine, Tofranil) |
Lofepramine, (Feprapax, Gamanil) |
Melitracen, (Dixeran) |
Nortriptyline, (Aventyl HCl, Pamelor) |
Protriptyline, (Vivactil) |
Trimipramine, (Apo-Trimip, Surmontil) |
Taking marijuana with these drugs may increase the risk of excessive sedation and mental depression and impairment: |
Amobarbital, (Amytal) |
Amobarbital and Secobarbital, (Tuinal) |
Butabarbital, (Butisol Sodium) |
Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and Caffeine, (Esgic, Fioricet) |
Butalbital, Aspirin, and Caffeine, (Fiorinal) |
Mephobarbital, (Mebaral) |
Methohexital, (Brevital, Brevital Sodium) |
Pentobarbital, (Nembutal) |
Phenobarbital, (Luminal Sodium, PMS-Phenobarbital) |
Primidone, (Apo-Primidone, Mysoline) |
Secobarbital, (Seconal) |
Thiopental, (Pentothal) |
Taking marijuana with these drugs may interfere with absorption of the drug: |
Amprenavir, (Agenerase) |
Indinavir, (Crixivan) |
Lopinavir and Ritonavir, (Kaletra) |
Nelfinavir, (Viracept) |
Ritonavir, (Norvir) |
Saquinavir, (Fortovase, Invirase) |
Taking marijuana with these drugs may cause symptoms of mania: |
Citalopram, (Celexa) |
Fluoxetine, (Prozac, Sarafem) |
Fluvoxamine, (Alti-Fluvoxamine, Luvox) |
Paroxetine, (Paxil) |
S-Citalopram, (Lexapro) |
Sertraline, (Apo-Sertraline, Zoloft) |
Taking marijuana with these drugs may be harmful: |
Disulfiram, (Antabuse)may increase the risk of low-level mania (excitability, hyperactivity, talkativeness, quick anger, and other symptoms). |
Theophylline, (Elixophyllin, Theochron)may speed clearance of theophylline from the bloodstream, necessitating an increased dose of the drug. |
|
Lab Test Alterations: |
May decrease intraocular pressure and glaucoma test results. |
Disease Effects: |
- May cause rapid heartbeat and temporarily elevated blood pressure.
- May increase susceptibility to infections by suppressing the immune system.
- May worsen respiratory ailments.
- May encourage development of psychosis in both psychosis-free and psychosis-prone individuals.
|
Food Interactions: |
Increased or synergistic central nervous system effects (for example, impaired reaction time, motor coordination, and visual perception) with concurrent ingestion of alcohol. |
Drug Interactions: |
May enhance therapeutic and adverse effects of herbs and supplements that have sedative properties, such as 5-HTP, Kava Kava, St. John's Wort, and Valerian. |
Culinary Uses: |
Seeds are an ingredient in wholefood cuisine and beers, and used as a condiment in Japanese cuisine, notably in the spice mixture shichimi. Seed oil is used for culinary purposes. Dried herb is an ingredient of Moroccan candy (majoun) and is important as a flavoring in Ital (Rastafarian) cooking. |
Economic Uses: |
Subsp. sativa is a source of fibers for rope making. Oil pressed from seeds of subsp. sativa is added to cosmetics. |
Warning: |
This herb is subject to legal restrictions in most countries. |
Bibliography: |
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited Pp 152-153 The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp.330-332 |