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Toxicity
Toxicity
Symptoms
Symptoms
Symptoms: Anxiety, arterial hypertension, ataxia, bradypnea, cardiovascular disease, coma, conjunctival injection, dependence, dilation of eyes, disorientation, dizziness, dry mouth, encephalopathy, euphoria, headache, hyperemesis syndrome, hypertension, impaired memory, increased appetite, increased thirst, lung disease, malaise, nausea, neuroexcitation, nystagmus, paranoia, psychosis, reduced fertility, relaxation, respiratory depression, seizures (rare), sleepiness, slurred speech, stupor, tachycardia, tachypnea, tolerance, vomiting.
Duration of Symptoms: Hours
Rate of Poison: Minutes - Hours
Causes Death: Rare, usually with synthetic cannabinoids. None known for plant material.
Treatment: Flumazenil. If severe, intubation or mechanical ventilation.
Cannabis (also known as marijuana) is the most controversially debated plant in America. States across the country have legalized recreational use, starting with Colorado and Washington in 2012. However, the plant is still considered illegal on a federal level due to its psychoactive (mind-altering) properties. There have been arguments that cannabis can be used medicinally, especially for cancer patients going through chemotherapy or as treatment of anxiety. On the other hand, fatal car accident rates have increased as a result of many people driving under the influence of marijuana, or use marijuana in combination of alcohol, contributing to the ongoing debate of whether or not marijuana should be legalized.
Photograph: Gaurav Dhwaj Khadka - Wikimedia Commons
Main Toxins
Main Toxins
Molecular structure of THC (Wikipedia)
Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC)
Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC)
THC, a phytocannabinoid and also known as tetrahydrocannabinol, is responsible for the psychoactive effects that occur when someone uses cannabis by interacting with the proteins within the receptors of the brain, the central nervous system, and the immune system. The concentration is more prominent in dried leaves. It if formed from tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, which is primarily dominant in the dried plant. THC binds to proteins and is lipid soluble. The concentration of THC within the system is relatively high within 15 to 30 minutes after use when inhaled or 1 to 2 hours after ingestion.
Level of Toxin: 1% - 26%
Impacting Dosage: 2 mg - 20 mg.
Cannabidiol (CBD)
Cannabidiol (CBD)
Cannabidiol, a phytocannabinoid, is the main nonpsychoactive component of marijuana. There are two receptors, CB-1 and CB-2. The CB-1 receptor is located in the basal ganglia, cerebellum, cerebral cortex, and hippocampus of the brain and inhibits modulation of various neurotransmitters in the system. These neurotransmitters include acetylcholine, dopamine, gama-aminobutyric acid, norepinephrine, and serotonin. The inhibition causes impairment with cognitive and motor skills.
Level of Toxin: 40%
Impacting Dosage: Unknown
Molecular structure of CBD (Wikipedia)
Other Toxins and Chemical Components
Other Toxins and Chemical Components
Tetrahydrocannabinol-4-oic Acid (THCA)
Tetrahydrocannabinol-4-oic Acid (THCA)
THCA is a phytocannabinoid acidic precursor to THC. THCA is formed by undergoing decarboxylation of THC due to the heat combustion. This is formed when cannabis is smoked. Like THC, this is a major component of cannabis.
Level of Toxin: 40%
Impacting Dosage: Unknown
2-Arachidonoyl Glyceryl Ether
Anandamide
Cannabidiphorol
Cannabisativine
CBDVA
THCV
2-Arachidonoylglycerol
Anhydrocannabisativine
Cannabielsoin
Cannabitriol
N-Arachidonoyldopamine
THCVA
Δ8-Tetrahydrocannabinol
Cannabichromene
Cannabigerol
CBDA
O-Arachidonoyllethanolamine
Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabiphorol
Cannabicyclol
Cannabinol
CBDV
Oleic Acid Amide
General Information
General Information
Parts of Plant: All parts.
Contact Hazard: Yes
Animals Affected: Cats, dogs
*Used often as a recreational drug. Labeled currently as a Schedule I drug on a federal level. Use of cannabis during pregnancy may result in a stillbirth, pre-term birth, or fetal growth restriction.
Medicinal Value
Medicinal Value
General Information
General Information
Parts of Plant: Seed oil
Properties: Analgesic, anticonvulsant, antiemetic, antiglaucoma, anti-inflammatory, depressant, sedative.
Components: Cannabidiol (CBD), THC.
Antidote: Unknown
Preparation: Perscription Drugs - cesamet, dronabinol, marinol, nabilone (Cesamet), sativex.
Historical Uses
Historical Uses
Current Uses
Current Uses
Treatments
Treatments
Headache
Migraine
Location
Location
Ayurveda
China: Recorded in the oldest Chinese book of traditional medicine.
Greece
India
Claimed Treatments
Claimed Treatments
Allergies
Anxiety
Asthma
Autoimmune Diseases
Bipolar
Chronic Pain
Depression
Epilepsy
Glaucoma
Inflammation
Infection
Movement Disorders
Multiple Sclerosis: Alleviates spastic movements.
Nausea: Mainly for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Neuropathic Pain
Stimulate Hunger: Used for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Vomiting
Location
Location
Canada
United States
Edibility
Edibility
General Information
General Information
Parts of Plant: All parts
Nutrients:
Carbohydrates: Amino acids, Fiber
Minerals: Calcium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Mercury, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc
Proteins: Edestine, Zeatin, Zeatinnucleoside
Vitamins: Vitamin K
Taste: Bitter
WARNING: Excessive consumption of edibles may result in a trip to the hospital.
Historical Uses
Historical Uses
Current Uses
Current Uses
Preparation Methods
Preparation Methods
None known.
Preparation Methods
Preparation Methods
Brownies
Chocolates
Cookies
Gummies
General Facts
General Facts
Plant Facts
Plant Facts
Illustration of Cannabis by Walther Otto Müller - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Family: Cannabaceae (Hemp Family)
Genus: Cannabis
Other Names: Ganja, Hemp, Marijuana, Mexican Spanish Marihuana, Pot, Weed
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Bloom Colours: Red
Bloom Time: April - November
Type: Annual
Height: 3 - 6 feet.
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Habitat: Fields, meadows, tropical climates
Origin: Central Asia, South Asia
States: All
Provinces: All
Related Species
Related Species
Sources
Sources
Toxicity Section
Toxicity Section
Baron, E. P. (2015). Comprehensive review of medicinal marijuana, cannabinoids, and therapeutic implications in medicine and headache: what a long strange trip it's been…. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 55(6), 885-916. From https://headachejournal.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/head.12570?casa_token=T9IXDNoE9fgAAAAA%3AJP9aN8c8T4rtqfAcALuv1VJt-MDTwoshlfEt9hRztFvwlMbPwIhSJeKAl7OMx2zxQu5ust0zNMIQxx4
Breijyeh, Z., Jubeh, B., Bufo, S. A., Karaman, R., & Scrano, L. (2021). Cannabis: A toxin-producing plant with potential therapeutic uses. Toxins, 13(2), 117. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/13/2/117
D'Mello, J. F. (1997). Handbook of Plant and Fungal Toxicants. CRC Press. (pp. 265)
Donaldson, C. W. (2002). Marijuana exposure in animals. Toxicology Brief. From https://aspcapro.org/sites/default/files/z-toxbrief_0602.pdf
Drummer, O. H., Gerostamoulos, D., & Woodford, N. W. (2019). Cannabis as a cause of death: A review. Forensic science international, 298, 298-306. From https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0379073819300891?casa_token=ZqI_15Yyw5YAAAAA:-AvvSLnXi8bSdh3ebAFHjQzIII3s1hlmIIJv_uNLb9OEOZFxah8QJU90i1dqh6T8XoxO6xJAj1k
ElSohly, M. A. (2002). Chemical constituents of cannabis (pp. 27-36). Cannabis and cannabinoids. Pharmacology, toxicology, and therapeutic potential. Binghamton/New York: Haworth Press.
Largo, M. (2014). The Big, Bad Book of Botany: The World's Most Fascinating Flora. HarperCollins Publishers. (pp. 67-70)
Manicke, N. (2022). FIS 40100: Forensic Chemistry I Cannabis. PowerPoint
Noble, M. J., Hedberg, K., & Hendrickson, R. G. (2019). Acute cannabis toxicity. From Clinical toxicology, 57(8), 735-742. From https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15563650.2018.1548708
Stewart, A. (2009). Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. (pp. 109)
Turner, A. R., Spurling, B. C., & Agrawal, S. (2021). Marijuana toxicity. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430823/
Wong, K. U., & Baum, C. R. (2019). Acute cannabis toxicity. Pediatric emergency care, 35(11), 799-804. From https://journals.lww.com/pec-online/Fulltext/2019/11000/Acute_Cannabis_Toxicity.13.aspx
Medicinal Value Section
Medicinal Value Section
Baron, E. P. (2015). Comprehensive review of medicinal marijuana, cannabinoids, and therapeutic implications in medicine and headache: what a long strange trip it's been…. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 55(6), 885-916. From https://headachejournal.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/head.12570?casa_token=T9IXDNoE9fgAAAAA%3AJP9aN8c8T4rtqfAcALuv1VJt-MDTwoshlfEt9hRztFvwlMbPwIhSJeKAl7OMx2zxQu5ust0zNMIQxx4
Breijyeh, Z., Jubeh, B., Bufo, S. A., Karaman, R., & Scrano, L. (2021). Cannabis: A toxin-producing plant with potential therapeutic uses. Toxins, 13(2), 117. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/13/2/117
D'Mello, J. F. (1997). Handbook of Plant and Fungal Toxicants. CRC Press. (pp. 265)
Largo, M. (2014). The Big, Bad Book of Botany: The World's Most Fascinating Flora. HarperCollins Publishers. (pp.67-70)
Manicke, N. (2022). FIS 40100: Forensic Chemistry I Cannabis. PowerPoint
Stewart, A. (2009). Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. (pp. 109)
Edibility Section
Edibility Section
D'Mello, J. F. (1997). Handbook of Plant and Fungal Toxicants. CRC Press. (pp. 265)
ElSohly, M. A. (2002). Chemical constituents of cannabis (pp. 27-36). Cannabis and cannabinoids. Pharmacology, toxicology, and therapeutic potential. Binghamton/New York: Haworth Press.
Largo, M. (2014). The Big, Bad Book of Botany: The World's Most Fascinating Flora. HarperCollins Publishers. (pp.67-70)
Manicke, N. (2022). FIS 40100: Forensic Chemistry I Cannabis. PowerPoint
Turner, A. R., Spurling, B. C., & Agrawal, S. (2021). Marijuana toxicity. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430823/
Stewart, A. (2009). Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. (pp. 109)
General Facts Section
General Facts Section
Breijyeh, Z., Jubeh, B., Bufo, S. A., Karaman, R., & Scrano, L. (2021). Cannabis: A toxin-producing plant with potential therapeutic uses. Toxins, 13(2), 117. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/13/2/117
Hardiness.zone. (n.d.). Cannabis sativa. From https://hardiness.zone/plant/?sle=Cannabis&art=sativa
Largo, M. (2014). The Big, Bad Book of Botany: The World's Most Fascinating Flora. HarperCollins Publishers. (pp.67-70)
Stewart, A. (2009). Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. (pp. 109)
Weed Maps. (n.d.). Weed seasons: understanding the best time to grow cannabis in America. From https://weedmaps.com/learn/the-plant/weed-seasons
Date of page creation: October 9, 2022
Updated page: March 10, 2023
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