Reefer Madness: the 2014 Marijuana Update

As a teenager in Cary, I distinctly remember being shown the cult film, Reefer Madness (1936), in Health Class as a deterrent to trying marijuana. The film had a distinct scare factor at the time. As time passed, it morphed into more silliness than fact. To drive the point home, a sample of artificial marijuana was produced and lit to discourage use by my classmates. I am not sure it helped. During the session, while the teacher was distracted one classmate, Curtis, began hanging out the window (2 stories up). Then he sneaked out the door, went down the stairs, and proceeded to lie on the ground below the window. Then classmates yelled, “Curtis just fell out the window," of course he didn’t, but the teacher was not in on the joke.

 The movie was on my mind at a recent lecture by Dr. Dawn Boothe from Auburn University into new points into the science of medical marijuana. As several states have decriminalized recreational use, there has been a huge upswing in dogs ingesting recreational forms. The focus of this blog is the medical application of the more that 480 unique compounds it contains. 

HOW LONG HAS MARIJUANA BEEN AROUND?

It has been part of recreational, religious, and medical activities for a variety of cultures for over 5000 years. Interestingly, marijuana was one of the more commonly prescribed medications in the USA until it was declared illegal in the 1930’s.  Due to its control of pain, many states have passed laws that allowed medical use in people. There is little to no research of benefits in pets.  Marijuana is still illegal on the federal level.

HOW DOES ONE KNOW Street POT’s STRENGTH? 

You do not know as it can vary depending on how much of what plant part is contained, the quantity consumed, sex, age, grown indoors vs outdoors, when harvested, and how it is dried/stored. 

WHAT ARE THE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF MARIJUANA?

Problems with memory and learning, red eyes, distorted perception, difficulty thinking and problem solving, incoordination, increased heart rate, and panic attacks. The tolerance varies between people, and withdrawal leads to nervousness, restlessness, anxiety, and insomnia. Concerns in teenage use include lower IQ’s and depression. 

WHAT ARE THE TOUTED BENEFITS/MEDICAL TREATMENTS OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA?

THC, the most active component, is a muscle relaxant, ant-inflammatory, anti-depressant, increases appetite, and stimulant. Other components (CBD, CBC, and CBG) are touted for treatment of behavioral, sleep disorders, protection of the nervous system, ant-anxiety (think valium-like), bone healing, nausea, glaucoma, diabetes, suppression of the immune system, malaria, and pain control.

Memphis , proudly owned by Jon & Jane Woodall

There is NO DATA to support this broad appeal in pets and limited in people. The smoke/lung cancer risks of inhaled forms are not widely discussed.  Marijuana is still illegal on the federal level.

ARE THERE legal, PRESCRIPTION FORMS OF MARIJUANA AVAILABLE AT HUMAN PHARMACIES? If so, what are its benefits compared to the marijuana dispensary? 

Yes, Marinol (dronabinol) is a synthetic THC prescription medication form of marijuana that has been out for 30 years.  The benefits are that  this is a narrow spectrum compound versus smoking marijuana, which contains a wide variety “buffet line” of chemical components. Marinol is used to treat nausea, vomiting, and stimulate appetite, all of which are side effects of chemotherapy, when other treatments are unsuccessful. Cost on the goodRx site in Cary, NC average about $10 per tablet. 

Epidiolex (a version of marihuana lacking THC) is used for seizures with other measures have failed. 

ARE MOST MEDICAL MARIJUAHUA DISPENSORIES PRESCRIBING MEDICAL MARIHUAHA UNDER THE ADVICE OF A BOARDED SPECIALIST (FOR EXAMPLE ASTHMA)?

No, it appears most prescriptions are from doctors that are general practitioners, and security of those prescriptions was lax due to the lack of money and coordination with the Federal government. Yet, the costs are higher to consumers to obtain medical marihuana from dispensaries (government taxes) rather than traditional pharmacies. 

STAY TUNED AS MARIJUANA STUDIES ARE BEING CONTEMPLATED FOR PAIN CONTROL IN PETS. 

As a side note, from the nutritional talks and lots of options after the scare from the melamine and the wheat gluten scare around 2007, what happened to the Food and Drug czar in China? Well in China, Zheng Xiaoyu: China Ex-Food and Drug Safety Chief WAS Sentenced to Death. http://www.mindfully.org/Industry/2007/Zheng-Xiaoyu-China29may07.htm

Dakota, owned by Dave Bubb

Sigmon DVM, Diplomate ABVP canine & feline

Creature Comforts Animal Hospital

Cary, NC