CANNABIS INDICA (hemp)

CANNABIS INDICA (hemp)

It is a CNS stimulant

Cultivation is restricted by Law

All parts of the plant are poisonous

Psychological dependence, tolerance

ACTIVE PRINCIPLE

Fat soluble oleoresin- Tetrahydro

-cannabinol(THC)

Stored in fat cells of body and acts

like time release capsule

The effect of a single dose lasts for 7

days

Common Names

Indian hemp or cannabis sativa in India

Dagga in South & Central Africa

Hashish in Egypt

Marihuana: Mexican term meaning

pleasurable feeling

Forms of hemp

Common forms of hemp

BHANG

MAJOON

GANJA

CHARAS

MARIJUANA

BHANG

Least potent form

15% active principle

Prepared from dried leaves & fruit shoots

Used as an infusion in the form of a beverage

Effect lasts for three hours ----------sleep

MAJOON

Sweet prepared with bhang

Produces grandiose delusion in addition

to the effects of bhang

GANJA Consists of flowering tops of the female

plant It is mixed with tobacco & smoked in pipe Active principle in conc. of 25% Smoker feels lazy & indulges in day

dreaming Used by sadhus and fakirs

MARIHUANA OR MARIJUANA Common names are pot, grass, tea and

Mary Jane Eaten alone or drunk in beer or beverage Smoked in pipe or rolled in cigarette called

reefers or weed(500mg) Their use leads to consumption of more

dangerous drugs & in particular to heroin addiction

CHARAS OR HASHISH Resin exuding from leaves and

stem

Smoked with tobacco in a pipe ‘hookah’

Active principle is in con of 25- 40%

It is the most powerful of all cannabis

preparations

Sign & Symptoms

EuphoriaFeeling of well being, talkativeAppetite is increased

Confusion,ataxiaImpaired memory Disturbed thought patternsTingling & numbness

HASHISH INSANITY (Chronic Poisoning)

(Often attributed to chronic use) Patient suffers from hallucinations and

delusions of persecution Irresistible desire to destroy life and

property, of which he has no recollection after wards

Likely to commit sexual jealousy crimes

RUN AMOK It is a condition caused by the continued use or

even first time use of cannabis Impaired judgement from cannabis leads to accidents,sexual excesses,violence & crime. It is characterized by desire of the person to

commit murders He first kills the person against whom he may have

real or imaginary enmity and then kills anyone who comes in his way until the homicidal tendency lasts.

Then he may commit suicide or surrender himself to police.

TREATMENT Stomach wash with warm water

Saline purgatives

Artificial respiration

5-10mg diazepam if aggressive

Hypodermic injection of strychnine

Strong tea or coffee

Medicolegal Aspects

Majun and charas are used as road poison

or stupefying poison. To strengthen the nerves before committing

a crime or a bold act( ganga)