Foreword by Solomon H. SnyderPreface1. IntroductionThe PlantConsumption of Cannabis Preparations for Their Psychoactive EffectsSmokingEating and DrinkingA Brief History2. The Pharmacology of THC, the Psychoactive Ingredient in CannabisMan-Made CannabinoidsStructure-Activity Relationships for CannabinoidsCannabinoid AntagonistsHow Does THC Get to the Brain?SmokingOral AbsorptionOther Routes of AdministrationElimination of THC from the bodyHow Does THC Work?Discovery of Naturally Occurring CannabinoidsBiosynthesis and Inactivation of EndocannabinoidsInteraction of Cannabinoids with Other Chemical Messenger Systems in the BrainSome Physiological Effects of THC and AnandamideHeart and Blood VesselsSuppression of Immune System FunctionSex Hormones and ReproductionPain SensitivityMotility and PostureThe Billy Martin Tests3. The Effects of Cannabis on the Central Nervous SystemSubjective Reports of the Marijuana HighLaboratory Studies of Marijuana in Human VolunteersEffects on Psychomotor Function and DrivingHigher Brain Function, Including Learning and MemoryComparisons of Marijuana with AlcoholWhere in the Brain Does Marijuana Act?Functional Neuroanatomy of Cannabinoid Receptor CB-1 in the BrainWhat Can Animal Behavior Experiments Tell Us?Does Repeated Use of Marijuana Lead to Tolerance and Dependence?4. Medical Uses of Marijuana - Fact or Fantasy?The Modern Revival of Interest in Cannabis-Based MedicinesThe Synthetic CannabinoidsDronabinol (Marinol)Nabilone (Cesamet)What are the Medical Targets for Cannabis?Nausea and Vomiting Associated with Cancer ChemotherapyAIDS Wasting SyndromePainMultiple SclerosisGlaucomaEpilepsyBronchial AsthmaMood Disorders and SleepConclusions5. Is Cannabis Safe?ToxicityAcute Effects of CannabisEffects of Long-Term Exposure to CannabisCannabis in PregnancyCannabis and Mental IllnessSpecial Hazards of Smoked MarijuanaMarijuana Smoke and Smoking BehaviorEffects of Marijuana Smoke on the LungsMarijuana Smoking and Lung CancerCan Smoking Marijuana be Recommended for Medical Use? Are There Alternative Delivery Systems?Comparisons of the Health Risks of Cannabis with Those of Alcohol and NicotineAlcoholTobaccoSummary of Conclusions Regarding the Medical Uses of Cannabis6. The Recreational Use of CannabisPrevalenceHow is Cannabis Consumed and Where Does it Come From?Patterns of Recreational UseWhat are the Effects of Recreational Cannabis Use?The Potency of Illicit MarijuanaIs Marijuana a "Gateway" DrugDo Recreational Marijuana Users Become Dependent?Forensic Testing for Cannabis -- Growth Industry of the 1990sSnapshots of Cannabis Use Around the WorldIndia and PakistanNepal and TibetSoutheast AsiaAfricaCaribbean and Latin America7.
What Next?A Hundred Years of Cannabis InquiriesThe Indian Hemp Drugs Commission Report (1894)Mayor La Guardia's Report on "The Marijuana Problem in the City of New York" (1944)The Wootton Report, England 1969Report Followed ReportThe Dutch ExperimentThe Campaign for Medical MarijuanaWhat Promise Does Cannabis Research Hold?Historical Changes in Attitudes to Psychoactive DrugsOpiumCocaineTobaccoWhat are the Likely Outcomes in the Twenty-First Century?.