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CANNABIS SATIVA AND CANNABIS INDICA
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- Synonyms - Marijuana, hemp, pot, grass
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Cannabis indica
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Toxic principle
- The toxins are various resins, mainly tetrahydrocannabinol and related compounds.
Toxicity
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Plant if consumed fresh is not considered to be toxic. But it becomes poisonous when damaged by drying, heating, smoking, and/or aging.
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The entire plant is toxic, especially the leaves, flowering parts, sap and resinous secretions.
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The amount of resinoid in the various plant parts varies with plant variety, sex of plant (female plant, "sensemilla" more toxic), geographic location, and growing season.
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Toxic substances are highest in plants grown in warm climates or seasons.
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Poisoning may result from drinking the extract and chewing or smoking the plant parts.
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Hashish is a concentrated form of marijuana. Sometimes hashish contains added opium.
Signs
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In humans Tetrahydrocannabinol is a CNS depressant which causes euphoria followed by depression. Exhilaration, delusions, mental confusion, dilated pupils, blurred vision, poor coordination, weakness, stupor, hallucinations and coma (with large doses). Death may result from its depressing effect on the heartbeat. Other symptoms include craving for sweets, increased appetite, dryness of mouth, inflamed eyes, anxiety, aggressiveness, sleep disturbance, tremors, decreased sexual potency, feeling of contentment, increased but faulty perception and imagination, loss of initiative, reduction of will power and concentration, and impairment of lung function.
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Ingestion by dogs and rarely cats causes ataxia, vomiting, mydriasis, nystagmus, depression, and sometimes coma. Hypothermia in small animals has been demonstrated and may be dose related. Prolonged depression for 18 - 36 hours may be noticed in marijuana-poisoned dogs. Occasionally animals may act hyperexcitable. Less frequently reported signs include tremors and salivation.
Treatment
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Participants