Marijuana 101 History, Science, Commerce and Politics _________________________________________________

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Marijuana 101History, Science, Commerce and
Politics _________________________________________
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• Meth Etc.
• The Luxury Box
• Spokane, Washington
• June 16, 2011
• Steven Freng, Psy.D., MSW
• NW HIDTA Prevention/Treatment Manager

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What is a HIDTA?

• HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING
  AREA
• HIDTAs are part of the national drug control
  strategy. They are grant programs managed by the
  Office of National Drug Control Policy, awarded
  to geographic areas that are considered to be
  critical centers of drug production,
  manufacturing, importation, distribution and/or
  chronic consumption.

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Northwest HIDTA
Whatcom
San Juan
Okanogan
Pend Orielle
Ferry
Skagit
Stevens
Island
Clallam
Snohomish
Chelan
Jefferson
Douglas
Lincoln
Spokane
Kitsap
King
Grays Harbor
Mason
Grant
Kittitas
Pierce
Adams
Whitman
Thurston
Pacific
Lewis
Yakima
Franklin
Garfield
Wahkiakum
Benton
Cowlitz
Columbia
Skamania
Walla Walla
Asotin
Klickitat
Clark
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Northwest HIDTA StrategyCombining Public Safety
and Public Health Approaches
ENFORCEMENT Investigative Support Task Force
Support
PREVENTION Community Coalition Support Public
Education Awareness
TREATMENT Drug Court Programs Data Management
Evaluation
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Investigative Support Center (ISC) Primary
Components

• Information Services Unit
• Watch Center
• Officer Safety
• Deconfliction
• Analytical Unit
• Intelligence Research/Strategic Studies
• Tactical Analysis
• Case Support
• Administrative Unit
• Technical Equipment Services, Database
  Management, Fiscal Management, Training

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Threat Indicators

• Critical Events registered with the
• NW HIDTA by 61 L.E.A.s in 1998
• Cocaine 128
• Methamphetamine 79
• Heroin 33
• Marijuana 27
• Other _6_
• 273

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Threat Indicators

• Critical Events registered with the
• NW HIDTA by 75 L.E.A.s in 2010
• Methamphetamine 819
• Marijuana 639
• Cocaine 475
• Rx Opiates 413
• Heroin 383
• MDMA (Ecstasy) 97
• Other 146
• 2,972

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Psychoactive Drugs by Group/Type

• Nicotine
• Marijuana
• Stimulants
• Opiates
• Sedatives
• Atypical Drugs
• Hallucinogens

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Cannabis Cultivated
Harvested
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Ma
is a pictograph of two
two plants under a shelter
shelter

• The herb is a liberator of sin
• good for female weakness, gout,
• rheumatism, malaria, beri beri, constipation and
  absent mindedness.
• Chinese Emperor , 2700 B.C.

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Cannabis sativa from Vienna Dioscurides, 512 AD
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Marijuana History

• Archeological evidence indicates the cultivation
  of grain, grapes and hemp as early as 10,000
  years ago -- concurrent with the development of
  pottery and prior to the development of
  metallurgy
• Approximately 5,000 years ago the Egyptians were
  known to brew at least 5 varieties of beer, and
  hemp was known to be cultivated for fiber, oil,
  food, medicinal and herbal uses throughout Asia
• Herodotus recorded Scythian use during funeral
  rituals in the early 5th Century B.C.
• Although there is little evidence of use among
  Greeks and Romans, ritual and medicinal use in
  noted by Persians, Hindus, Arabs and Chinese
• Hemp cultivation and cannabis use as a medicinal
  herb becomes common in Europe approximately 1,000
  years ago, but is soon persecuted by the Church

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Marijuana Policies

• Hemp is an important crop for the colonies and
  later for the new nation throughout the 18th and
  19th centuries, cannabis widely used in medical
  practice but rarely for intoxication or
  recreational use
• Pure Food and Drug Act is passed in 1906,
  regulating the labeling of products containing
  alcohol, opiates, cocaine, cannabis and other
  substances
• Marijuana use is noted along the Mexican border
  and among immigrant laborers, and states begin to
  pass prohibitive legislation as early as 1914
  including California (1915), Texas (1919),
  Louisiana (1924), New York (1927)
• In 1926 a New Orleans newspaper publishes stories
  of a murder committed by Mexicans who smoked
  marijuana and the stories spread up the
  Mississippi River and into the rest of the
  country

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Marijuana Policies

• Harry Anslinger is named Presidential Advisor for
  Drug Issues in 1930, moves to eradicate hemp
  (cannabis) following his appointment by Treasury
  Secretary Andrew Mellon (banker to the DuPont
  family, developers of synthetic fibers)
• All 48 states have outlawed marijuana by 1936
• Reefer Madness produced and released in 1936
• The Marihuana Transfer Tax Act is passed in 1937
  despite contradictory research and political
  positions, popular sentiment and animated by
  racial antagonisms, creating the federal
  prohibitions to buy, sell, barter or give away
  cannabis within paying a transfer tax
• 1964 19,000 Americans arrested for marijuana
  offenses
• 1974 450,000 arrests

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Cannabis flyer, 1935
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Marijuana Characteristics

• Alters brain perception and mood described by
  researchers as an intoxicant, a stimulant, a
  psychedelic and a depressant
• Can be eaten (onset in 30-60 minutes, duration
  3-5 hours) and smoked (onset in minutes,
  duration 2-3 hours)
• Known as weed, pot, grass, hemp, reefer, ganja,
  mary jane, 4-20, joint, roach, bowl, nail
• Grown outdoors (on every continent) and indoors
  (hydroponics using nutrient-rich liquid rather
  than soil, totally controlled environment,
  yields several crops a year, and hybrids such as
  northern lights, white rhino, train wreck,
  and B.C. bud varieties, producing seedless
  Sinsemilla

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Ingredients in Cannabis Sativa

• 483 natural constituents
• 61 cannabinoids (including
• THC and CBD)
• 50 Hydrocarbons
• 120 Terpenes
• 25 Phenols
• Plus microbes, fungi, pesticides
• Known carcinogens

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Acute Effects

• Euphoria
• Calmness
• Increased concentration, eliminates boredom
• Appetite stimulation (munchies)
• Decreased saliva (cotton mouth)
• Analgesia
• Altered perception of time
• Impaired coordination and balance
• Anxiety, panic
• Increased heart rate
• Impaired short-term memory
• Difficulty with learning and complex tasks
• Impaired decision-making

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Long-Term Effects

• Cognitive Impairment (learning, memory,
  attention)
• Affects REM (dream) sleep
• Interferes with the maturation process, has the
  capacity to induce regression, irreversible
  immaturity may affect brain development
  during adolescence
• Produces tolerance and dependence (10 in
  several studies)
• Withdrawal irritability, restlessness, poor
  concentration, decreased appetite

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Long-term Effects

• Impairs lung function
• Immunosuppressant (colds, flu)
• Several reports of an association with
  schizophrenia to a lesser extent, depression,
  anxiety and suicidal ideation
• Pregnancy THC crosses the placental barrier and
  can be passed in breast milk some evidence of
  low birth weight and Apgar scores withdrawal in
  newborns

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Percentage of At-Risk Marijuana Users Who
Reported Problems Associated With Use
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Drugs in Combination

• Additive Effect When two or more drugs are
  taken at the same time, and the action of one
  plus the action of the other results in an action
  as if just one drug had been given. An example
  would be a barbiturate and a benzodiazepine given
  together before surgery to relax a patient.
• Potentiation Occurs when tow drugs are taken an
  one of them intensifies the action of the other.
  An example would be an antihistamine given with
  an opiate to intensify its effect, lessening the
  amount of the opiate needed.
• Synergism When two drugs with similar actions
  are taken together resulting in an exaggerated
  action, out of proportion to that of each drug
  taken separately. An example would be alcohol
  taken together with an opiate.

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SPECT Image of Normal Brain
Top Underside
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Normal Marijuana Use
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First Specific Drug Associated with Initiation of
Illicit Drug Use, Aged 12 or Older 2009
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Past Year Initiates of Specific Illicit Drugs
Persons Aged 12 or Older 2009
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Past Month Illicit Drug UsePerson Aged 12 or
Older 2009
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Percentage of High School Students Reporting
Past-Year Use, 2004-10
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Dependence on or Abuse of Specific Illicit Drugs
in the Past Year, Persons Aged 12 or Older 2009
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Marijuana-Related Admissions toPublicly Funded
Treatment , 1994-2006
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WA State Treatment Admissions by Drug (Adults) --
SFYs 2003-09
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Meth 5,994 6,512 7,975 10,021 9,22291 8,652 7,431
Marijuana 3,833 4,129 4,497 5,130 5,440 5,662 6,393
Cocaine 2,913 3,075 3,449 4,134 4,371 4,561 3,813
Heroin 2,390 2,617 3,712 3,449 3,137 3,439 4,393
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Primary Drug of Choice CJTA Clients, 2008-09
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Publicly-funded Tx AdmissionsWA State Youth
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Publicly-funded Tx AdmissionsWA State Adults
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Marijuana Production

• M-7 States (indoor and outdoor
  cultivation)
• California
• Washington
• Tennessee
• Kentucky
• West Virginia
• Hawaii
• Oregon

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Cannabis Eradication by National Forest, 2008
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Marijuana

• Commerce
• Domestic dominates the region although BC
  Bud, Californian, Mexican and other
  varieties are available
• Asian-Canadian DTOs operate indoor grows Mexican
  DTOs operate outdoor grows
• Domestic marijuana ranked 1st (tied with
  methamphetamine) in prevalence and as a threat
  within the regional

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Marijuana Seizures
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2010 Marijuana Eradication Statistics
Statewide293,442 Plants Seized


TOTAL SEIZURES (As of September 28,
2010) Grows 321 Indoor Plants 25,710 Outdoor
Plants 267,732 MJ Hotline Plants 60,669 Arrests 23
6 Weapons 224
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Marijuana Border Seizures
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Percentage of Drugs Submitted for Analysis(WSP
Forensic Laboratory)
Seattle Tacoma Vancouver Kennewick Spokane Marysville
Meth 13.88 29.53 37.37 34.64 24.48 17.75
Cocaine 16.14 11.56 6.18 13.20 11.38 14.78
Heroin 6.54 8.28 11.02 4.74 3.40 13.74
Oxycodone 6.29 4.70 3.40 1.69 5.19 5.94
Marijuana 26.40 22.55 8.64 21.03 18.65 13.40
PCP/LSD 0.87 0.29 0.00 0.00 0.18 0.06
MDA/MDMA 1.08 0.51 0.22 0.58 1.43 1.77
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Drug Distribution Originating in Washington State
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What is Spice and K-2?

• Olive-colored plant material, can be laced with
  synthetic cannabanoid mimicking compounds, most
  notably HU-210 and JWH-018 available as
  early as 2002 in Europe.
• Sold over the Internet (and previously in smoke
  shops) as all- natural and herbal incense at
  30-35/gram (compared to marijuana _at_ 80 for 14
  grams).
• Each bag of Spice/K-2 could contain a different
  mix of substances.
• WA Board of Pharmacy adopted emergency scheduling
  (Schedule I) for five compounds effective 1/7/11
  and again on 4/15/11 each ruling stands for
  120 days, requiring action to adopt permanent
  rules.
• DEA also temporarily scheduled the same compounds
  on 3/1/11, placing them into the Controlled
  Substances Act pursuant to temporary scheduling
  provisions.
• There are no set standards to test for the
  substances in Spice/K-2.

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• The abbreviated chemical names for the substances
  found in Spice are
• HU-210
• A Schedule I controlled substance
• Various studies show it is anywhere from 66-800
  times more potent than THC
• Presence is not detectable with standard Gas
  Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
• JWH-018
• A Schedule I controlled substance
• Believed to have THC-like effects
• CP 47,497
• A Schedule I controlled substance
• 3 to 28 times more potent than THC
• Used to research effects of THC
• JWH-073
• A Schedule I controlled substance
• THC-like effects probable
• HU-211
• Not currently a controlled substance
• Studies tentatively show no THC-like effects

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Ingredient Information for Spice

• Spice contains a combination of plants and
  aromatic extracts includingBaybean - Canavalia
  maritimaSmoked on the Gulf Coast of Mexico as
  Marijuana substitute.  Seeds have been found in
  royal grave sites in the Yucatan and Peru dating
  from 300 B.C. to A.D. 900.Blue Lotus - Nymphaea
  caerulea Nymphaea albaWorshipped by ancient
  Egyptians as a symbol for the origins of life. 
  The flowers were known for their visionary and
  inebriating effects.  White Lotus was
  successfully used as an anesthetic in WWI when
  the more traditional opiate anesthetic wasn't
  available.Dwarf scullcap - Scuttelaria
  nanaScullcap is well-known among the Cherokee
  and other Native American tribesas a sedative
  and excellent treatment for anxiety and insomnia.
  It has been known to cause giddiness when large
  amounts are ingested.Indian Warrior -
  Pedicularis densifloraAt least one Native
  American tribe is known to smoke the flowers of
  certain Pedicularis species for their narcotic
  effects. Pedicularis densiflora is one of the
  most rare and potent species of Pedicularis. It
  has been used for many years as an aphrodisiac,
  muscle relaxer and strong sedative. More potent
  than any other herb of its kind.Lion's Tail -
  Leonotis leonurusUsed by the Xhosa and Hottentot
  tribes of South Africa for inebriant and euphoric
  effects.Maconha Brava - Zornia latifoliaDried
  leaves smoked by Indians in Brazil as a visionary
  aide. The vernacular name Maconha Brava means
  "false Marijuana".Pink Lotus - Nelumbo
  nuciferaPossesses great significance in Eastern
  religion. Indians believe that Brahma, creator
  and God of the universe, sprang from a lotus
  blossom.  Pink Lotus was often smoked or made
  into a tea to create a mystical feeling of joy
  that permeated the mind and body.Siberian
  Motherwort - Leonurus sibiricusUsed in Chinese
  medicine for thousands of years under the name Yi
  Mu Cao.
• Also commonly used in Brazil and Chiapas as a
  substitute for another popular smoking herb
  giving it the nickname "Little Marijuana".

(Source www.spicesales.com)
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Common Brand Names

• Silver Spice
• Diamond Spice
• Yukatan Fire Spice
• PEP Spice
• Fire n Ice
• How is it Used?
• Rolled in papers and smoked
• Packed into a blunt
• Hookah pipes
• Inhaled while burned as incense

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Medicinal Marijuana

• FDA has approved pill form (Marinol) for nausea
  associated with chemotherapy and the wasting
  disease that appears with AIDS
• Inhaling burnt leaves impairs lung function,
  increases the risk of bronchitis, asthma and
  other chronic respiratory diseases and may damage
  the immune system
• Not proven to help glaucoma, multiple sclerosis

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Medical Marijuana approved in 15 states and D.C.
-- RED passed by ballot initiative
GREEN passed by legislation YELLOW 2011
efforts
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National Overview State Legislation

• 110 pieces of pro-drug legislation
• introduced in 37 states
• 27 are bills to establish medical
• marijuana programs
• 16 seek to decriminalize marijuana
• 6 seek to tax and/or regulate marijuana
• 28 seek to expand current medical marijuana
  programs
• Remaining are proposals regarding hemp,
  rescheduling marijuana, and restructuring
  criminal penalties

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WA State Medicinal Marijuana LawChapter 181,
Laws of 2011 (effective 7/22/11)

• A health care professional must now examine the
  patient and document need
• A health care professional cannot have a business
  consisting solely of authorizing use
• Qualifying patients may still assert an
  affirmative defense
• Patients parental rights and organ transplant
  rights are protected
• Allows up to 10 patients and designated providers
  to establish collective gardens of up to 45
  plants and 72 ounces of useable cannabis
• Providers may serve only one patient in a 15-day
  period
• Drug-free workplaces, correctional facilities and
  supervision authorities are not required to
  permit marijuana use
• The WSIPP is to conduct a cost benefit analysis
  UW and WSU can conduct research on medical use
• Local governments can adopt zoning, licensing
  requirements and business taxes for community
  gardens
• Dispensaries are no longer allowed

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QUESTIONS?

• Contact Information/Resources
• Tel [phone]
• sfreng_at_nw.hidta.org
• M-Files www.mfiles.org
• ONDCP whitehousedrugpolicy.gov