Tetrahydrocannabinol - Mieke Seville

Tetrahydrocannabinol

Figure 1. THC crystal, by Aleisha Vaz⁶

Tetrahydrocannabinol, more commonly known as THC is the main active component in marijuana. Marijuana if you don’t know is naturally grown from cannabis plants such as the Indian Hemp Plant (1). The highest concentration of THC is the dried resign that forms on the flowering/ budding tops of female plants (2). I am sure many of you know THC as the illegal drug, but did you know that it is also sometimes used to treat many health problems? THC can be used as a natural substitute for pharmaceutical drugs. Most commonly THC is prescribed for people who suffer from chronic pain: usually arthritis (3). It also commonly used to aid in nausea, vomiting, anxiety, asthma, glaucoma, relaxation, and an appetite stimulant (3). THC use is most common in cancer patients especially when undergoing chemotherapy (4). Because THC helps for all of these things, a lot of people use the chemical leisurely/ illegally without a prescription. The most common effects from either ingestion or inhalation of THC are decreased motor skills, poor concentration, increased heart rate, temporary memory impairment, reddening of the eye whites, and most commonly lethargy, and hunger (1). Interestingly THC is the most commonly used illicit drug (5), and in many places, such as Canada, it is being pushed for marijuana to be legalized.  THC has a bad reputation because it is labeled as an illegal drug, putting it in the same category as cocaine and ecstasy. However, the question why it is illegal and alcohol isn’t is commonly asked. Personally I believe that the legalization should be switched based on that alcohol has long list of detrimental side effects, and thousands of reported deaths due to overdose a year, where there has never been a reported death from overdose on THC (5). Weather marijuana becomes legalized or not, THC should still be used with caution to avoid abuse of the chemical and the possible effects of THC should be noted.

References

1) Hazardous Substance Data Bank. (2012). Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Retrieved November 6, 2013, from http://library.mtroyal.ca:3315/hsdb/Action.lasso?-database=hsdb&-layout=Display&-response=detail.html&-op=eq&HSDB+NUMBER=6471&-search#TOC5
2) Chilakapati, J., Mehendale, H.M. (2005). Cannabinoids, Encyclopedia of Toxicology. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B0123694000001757
3) Medical Uses of Cannabis and THC. (n.d.). Retrieved November 11, 2013, from http://www.cannabis-med.org/english/patients-use.htm
4) Dronabinol – Drugbank. (n.d.). Retrieved November 6, 2013, from http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00470
5) Tetrahydrocannabinol. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved on November 6, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrahydrocannabinol#Toxicity
6) Aleisha, V. (Creator). (2013, December 6). THC Crystal [photograph]. Retrieved from Aleisha Vaz