Cannabis intoxication; Intoxication - marijuana (cannabis); Pot; Mary Jane; Weed; Grass; Cannabis

The intoxicating effects of marijuana include relaxation, sleepiness, and mild euphoria (getting high).

Smoking marijuana leads to fast and predictable signs and symptoms. Eating marijuana can cause slower, and sometimes less predictable effects.

Marijuana can cause undesirable side effects, which increase with higher doses. These side effects include:

• Decreased short-term memory
• Dry mouth
• Impaired perception and motor skills
• Red eyes

More serious side effects include panic, paranoia, or acute psychosis, which may be more common with new users or in those who already have a psychiatric disease.

The amount and effect of these side effects varies from person to person, as well as with the amount of marijuana used.

Marijuana is often cut with hallucinogens and other, more dangerous drugs that have more serious side effects than marijuana. These side effects may include:

• Acute high blood pressure with headache
• Chest pain and heart rhythm disturbances
• Extreme hyperactivity and physical violence
• Heart attack
• Seizures
• Stroke
• Sudden collapse (cardiac arrest)

Related topics:

• Drug abuse
• Drug abuse and dependence
• Drug abuse first aid

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Marijuana intoxication Overview

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Marijuana intoxication Treatment

Review Date: 01/05/2011
Reviewed By: Jacob L Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)