Origins & Types
What is the genus name that refers to the collection of species used for hemp and marijuana?
Cannabis
How many distinct cannabinoids have been isolated from Cannabis, approximately?
About 113 distinct cannabinoids
Give two common low-dose effects of cannabis use listed in the notes.
Euphoria; reduced anxiety/stress; increased heart rate and vasodilation; increased appetite; inhibition of motor coordination; reduced inflammation (any two)
Which neurotransmitter is described as the brain’s primary “reward” chemical?
Dopamine
What harmful components does cannabis smoke contain many of, which are believed to increase cancer risk?
Carcinogens
Which Cannabis species is commonly grown as hemp for industrial fiber and contains very low THC?
Cannabis sativa (Hemp is a strain of Sativa)
Which cannabinoid is the primary psychoactive compound commonly associated with intoxication?
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Name two high-dose symptoms that might occur with heavy cannabis intoxication.
Anxiety or panic attacks; paranoia; hallucinations; vomiting/nausea; ataxia; acute psychosis (any two)
Give the approximate dependence risk for adults who use cannabis, and for adolescents who use cannabis (as stated).
Adults: about 1 in 9; Adolescents: about 1 in 6
Compare average THC content in cannabis from the 1960s to today, based on the notes.
1960s average: ~5% THC. Today: ~20% THC (with some concentrates up to ~90%)
What THC threshold separates hemp from other Cannabis under U.S. definitions (expressed as a percentage)?
0.3%
Name one major non-psychedelic cannabinoid mentioned in the notes.
Cannabidiol (CBD)
How long do most smoked-cannabis effects typically last, and how does that compare to ingested forms?
Smoked: most effects wear off after about 2–3 hours. Ingested: effects can last more than twice as long.
Name two physiological mechanisms by which tolerance to cannabis can develop (from the notes).
(1) Down-regulation (decrease) of cannabinoid receptors on neurons; (2) Increased liver enzyme activity (First Pass Effect) metabolizing the drug more quickly
Why do the notes say cannabis concentrates can be “a completely different drug” than the plant?
Because concentrates can reach extremely high THC percentages (e.g., up to 90%), their potency, effects, and risks differ qualitatively from whole-plant cannabis.
Name two historical uses of Cannabis described in the notes from ancient times.
Used for fibers/construction and clothing in Neolithic times; burned recreationally and used in religious ceremonies around 3500 B.C.
What are the two main endocannabinoid receptors identified in the body?
CB1 and CB2 receptors
Explain why cannabis use can increase the risk of a cardiac event in susceptible people.
Cannabis increases heart rate by about 20–50 bpm; in people with atherosclerosis this raises the likelihood of a cardiac event.
List three withdrawal symptoms someone dependent on cannabis might experience when they stop using.
Examples: Decreased appetite; mood instability/irritability; insomnia; persistent headaches; sweating; depression; anxiety; abdominal cramps and nausea; tremors; strong THC cravings (any three)
According to the notes, name two ways cannabis’s legal/illegal status can influence exposure to other substances or public health risks.
(1) Illegality forces users to obtain cannabis from illegal sources, increasing exposure to other illegal/dangerous substances. (2) Legal status influences availability and regulation—when illegal, lack of quality control can increase contaminants and risks.
Describe the proposed cycle (build-up theory) explaining recurrent Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) tied to body fat.
Heavy THC use → THC stored in body fat (because THC is fat-soluble) → weight loss frees stored THC into circulation → renewed nausea/vomiting → more weight loss → repeat (this cycle can cause relapse of CHS).
List three receptor systems that cannabidiol (CBD) is reported to interact with, according to the notes.
Cannabidiol interacts with Cannabinoid receptors, Serotonin receptors, and Opioid receptors
Define Cannabis-Associated Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) and name the one definitive cure offered.
CHS is a condition caused by regular heavy THC use, marked by persistent nausea, vomiting, and retching; the only cure is abstinence from THC.
Explain how repeated activation of the brain’s reward pathway by a drug can change a person’s response to normally rewarding activities.
Repeated drug-induced dopamine surges condition the reward pathway to rely on the substance for dopamine. Over time, normal rewarding activities produce less dopamine and feel less rewarding, driving compulsive drug-seeking and dependence.
Summarize the potential public-health trade-offs of immune suppression caused by cannabinoids, listing one possible therapeutic benefit and one possible risk.
Therapeutic benefit: Immune suppression could reduce chronic inflammation and may help conditions like Crohn’s disease. Risk: Increased susceptibility to infections from bacteria and viruses.