Overview
Marijuana, derived from the dried flowers and leaves of the Cannabis sativa plant, contains psychoactive compounds known as cannabinoids. The main cannabinoids, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), are responsible for its mind-altering properties. As described in the document, marijuana is consumed in various ways, including smoking, vaporizing, ingestion through baked products, teas, and use with molten substances.
The drug primarily acts on the brain and spinal cord by binding to CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are widely distributed in regions such as the basal ganglia, cerebellum, hippocampus, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and association cortices. This interaction produces sensations of relaxation, euphoria, heightened sensory perception, and altered perception of time. However, marijuana can also induce anxiety, panic, and fear. Its widespread recreational use, along with the need for detection in workplaces, legal settings, and clinical assessments, makes marijuana one of the most frequently evaluated substances in toxicology.
Symptoms
Symptoms of marijuana intoxication or overdose, as described in the document, vary widely across physical, psychological, and behavioral domains.
Physical symptoms include tachycardia, chest discomfort, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, impaired coordination, difficulty walking, and fainting. Respiratory effects may include bronchodilation in acute use and chronic bronchitis with long-term exposure.
Psychological symptoms include panic attacks, paranoia, anxiety, hallucinations, delusions, fear, laughter, or heightened sensory perception. Users often experience an altered perception of time and euphoria, which may lead to risky behavior or poor judgment.
Neurological and cognitive symptoms include impaired motor skills, reduced attention, slowed reaction time, and memory impairment. High doses may induce psychosis, confusion, or significant emotional instability. Behavioral symptoms such as increased appetite and social withdrawal may also be observed.
These symptoms highlight marijuana’s broad impact on multiple body systems, emphasizing the need for proper monitoring in both recreational and clinical settings.
Causes
Marijuana’s effects arise due to the pharmacological activity of cannabinoids interacting with CB1 and CB2 receptors. THC binds strongly to CB1 receptors in the brain, altering neurotransmission and affecting areas responsible for memory, coordination, mood, and perception.
The document also outlines metabolic pathways: Δ9-THC converts to 11-OH-THC and then to THC-COOH, which is later excreted as glucuronide. These metabolites are key markers in toxicological testing.
Marijuana intoxication typically results from consuming high-potency cannabis, frequent use, or combining marijuana with other substances. Overdose signs become more prominent when THC levels are elevated.
In legal, workplace, and forensic contexts, marijuana use may be suspected following accidents, unsafe behavior, or impaired performance. Testing is often required for employment screening, probation monitoring, athletic regulation, and clinical evaluation. Laboratory methods described in the document include mass spectrometry, chromatography, immunoassays, and spectrophotometric techniques.
Risk Factors
Several risk factors associated with marijuana use, intoxication, and detection are highlighted in the document:
1. Mode and Frequency of Consumption
Smoking, vaping, or consuming edibles with high THC content increases the likelihood of intoxication and adverse effects.
2. Psychological Vulnerability
Individuals prone to anxiety, depression, or psychosis may experience worsening symptoms when using marijuana, especially at high doses.
3. Occupational and Legal Exposure
Safety-sensitive professions such as healthcare, construction, and transportation require employees to remain drug-free. Marijuana use poses risks in these environments and may lead to mandatory screening.
4. Biological Variability
Differences in metabolism, excretion, hydration levels, and frequency of use can impact detection windows and intoxication severity.
5. Laboratory Limitations
Technical errors, adulteration, urine dilution, substituting samples, and interfering substances can lead to false negatives or erroneous results. Immunoassays may not accurately quantify individual metabolites.
6. Long-Term Health Risks
Chronic use may affect cardiovascular, respiratory, immune, endocrine, and reproductive systems, increasing susceptibility to related complications.
Prevention
Prevention strategies emphasized in the document aim to reduce marijuana misuse and ensure reliable detection when needed.
1. Public Awareness
Educating users on the risks of intoxication, including impaired driving, psychosis, and cardiovascular stress, helps reduce harm.
2. Accurate and Controlled Testing
Use of proper sample collection—urine, blood, hair, or saliva—ensures integrity and prevents contamination or substitution.
3. Workplace and Legal Compliance
Routine testing in safety-sensitive fields, post-accident scenarios, and probation monitoring discourages unsafe use and supports rehabilitation efforts.
4. Monitoring High-Risk Users
Follow-up screenings help track individuals with suspected dependence or those undergoing treatment.
5. Technical Expertise in Laboratories
Proper interpretation of results, awareness of detection cut-offs, and avoiding procedural errors prevent misdiagnosis and inaccurate findings.
