Throughout history marijuana has been used as an intoxicating drug. In this country, marijuana use became popular with young people during the 1960's. It's use peaked in the late '70s and it has been on the decline until recently. Marijuana continues to be a widely used illegal controlled substance in the United States. Marijuana is cultivated from the hemp plant and is most often smoked as a cigarette.
Users experience a sense of well-being and relaxation.
This dreamy consciousness reduces their ability to think and communicate clearly. Physical effects include an accelerated heartbeat, dry mouth, increased appetite and bloodshot eyes. Marijuana use also impairs perception of time, short term memory and it decreases reaction time making driving under it's influence highly risky. There is also evidence that regular users can become psychologically and physically dependent on the drug. Research studies are investigating the possibility of a link between marijuana use and cancer.