MARIJUANA TOXICITY

Course overview

THE TERM "MARIJUANA" TYPICALLY REFERS TO THE TOBACCO-LIKE PREPARATIONS OF THE LEAVES AND FLOWERS OF THE PLANT CANNABIS SATIVA. THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT IS BELIEVED TO BE TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL (THC), WHICH IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR INTOXICATION. DIFFERENT PREPARATIONS OF MARIJUANA VARY IN STRENGTH. THC CONCENTRATIONS VARY WITH CLIMATE, SOIL, AND CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES. ADDITIONALLY THC ABSORPTION VARIES WITH ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS, AND MANAGEMENT OF MARIJUANA TOXICITY AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE CARING FOR AFFECTED PATIENTS.