There are many theories about how Mary Jane became slang for weed, but few direct connections. One of the most promising theories connects it to the Spanish language. Marijuana (itself a slang term) sounds a lot like the Spanish name Maria Juana. Depending on where you live, you may recognize other names for cannabis. For instance, brown, chronic, alfalfa, dank, and ditch weed are also regional names for cannabis. Figuring out the origins of certain words can be complicated under the best of circumstances.
Adverse effects
It’s clear to see why many people become addicted to marijuana as it elevates your mood, suppresses pain, and has the potential to help with mental health symptoms. Because of these effects, some research shows that consuming marijuana can cause problems in daily life or exacerbate existing issues. When you consume marijuana on a regular basis, you’re more likely to experience lower life satisfaction, poorer mental and physical health, less career or academic success, and problems with relationships. Frequent use of high-potency THC over extended periods of time suggests that there can be negative effects on learning, memory, attention and problem-solving ability, as reported in Pediatrics. The AAP suggests that doctors urge parents not to use marijuana around children.
A 2016 study on almost 300 students by the University of Montreal published in the journal Development and Psychopathology found that teens who start smoking around age 14 do worse on some cognitive tests by age 20 than non-smokers. If they wait until age 17 to start, though, the smokers do not seem to have the same impairments, according to the study. There are hundreds of compounds in marijuana, but scientists believe the one responsible for the drugs’ psychoactive effects is tetrahydrocannbinol, or THC. THC binds to cannabinoid receptors throughout the body, and marijuana’s “high” comes from THC’s binding to brain regions responsible for pleasure, time perception and pain, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Weed (Marijuana)
In Uruguay, President Jose Mujica signed legislation to legalize recreational cannabis in December 2013, making Uruguay the mary jane drug first country in the modern era to legalize cannabis. In August 2014, Uruguay legalized growing up to six plants at home, as well as the formation of growing clubs (Cannabis social club), and a state-controlled marijuana dispensary regime. Many legal references prefer the term “cannabis”, for instance in the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. However, many laws and regulations often use the term “marihuana” or “marijuana”, for instance the Controlled Substances Act in the United States.
Related terms
When THC affects the cerebellum’s function, drivers may have slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and problems responding to signals and sounds if driving while under the influence (DUI) of THC. The first state in the union to legalize the medical use of marijuana was California in 1996 with Proposition 215. ACOG recommends that marijuana use be discontinued during breastfeeding. The scientific data are not strong enough to determine the risk to the nursing infant. Marijuana is also the most common illicit drug used during pregnancy, in roughly 2% to 5% of women. Feeling of a relaxed state, euphoria (“high”), and an enhanced sensory perception may occur.
- The exact date when Mary Jane came into prominence as a term for marijuana is not known.
- Other indicators can be spending a significant amount of time obtaining, using, or recovering from the effects of marijuana, or neglecting responsibilities and activities in favor of using.
- The terms “Mary Jane” for cannabis and “Mary Jane” for the shoe style may share a name, but their origins and cultural implications are distinct.
- Over the past decade, he have focused on researching and writing about the role of cannabis across various cultures and eras.
At this time, several THC-based drugs have been approved by the FDA to treat pain and nausea. And scientists continue to investigate the medicinal properties of other chemicals found in the cannabis plant, such as cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive compound being studied for its effectiveness in treating pain, pediatric epilepsy and other conditions. Like other drug or alcohol addictions, people seem to view a cannabis addiction as a weakness or lack of control, but very often these addictions are a result of trauma, ongoing mental health issues, or high stress. Cannabis can be very dangerous as it causes psychological and physical responses which can take control over you, leading to long-term problems. Cannabis is one of the most widely abused recreational substances in the UK, yet many still perceive it to be harmless.
What are the Effects of Cannabis Addiction?
Some people also mix the plant’s leaves, flowers, stems, or seeds into their food or into their tea. Marijuana is called by many other names, including cannabis, grass, hashish, joint, Mary Jane, pot, reefer, weed. Cities, municipalities, employers, landlords, and universities may have special policies about the use of marijuana. Use within any federal land, national park or monument is still illegal.