THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MARY JANE

Aunt Mary. Buddha. Jane. Herb.

Marijuana's many nicknames may be more familiar to college students than
their schools' administrators.

In light of the debate on drug legalization, the number of college
marijuana users increased by 11 percent in 2000, according to the State of
Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. This year
at Syracuse University, the Department of Public Safety has handled 31
cases involving illegal possession of the substance since January.

With the threat of legal and health consequences, what is it that makes the
drug so popular?

Despite its possible side effects, which include increased heart rate,
problems with memory and concentration loss, users seem to enjoy the
positive sensation they experience while high. Scientists have found that
whether an individual has positive or negative sensations after smoking
marijuana can be influenced by heredity.

Much of the controversy around marijuana is not centered on these side
effects, but on its addictive value.

"An addicted user demonstrates compulsive, often uncontrollable drug
craving, seeking, use, and behavior, even in the face of negative health
and social consequences," said Tibor Palfai, a professor of psychology who
teaches a course on drugs and human behavior at SU.

Studies on animals suggest that marijuana causes mild physical dependence,
and some even report withdrawal symptoms.

For some, though, it's simply a matter of availability.

"If it's around, I'll smoke it. If it's not, or if I don't have money to
buy, I won't," said Liz Kostin, a junior management major.

The active chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, more
commonly known as THC. It affects the brain's ability to process sensory
information and experiences by interfering with the hippocampus, a
component of the brain's limbic system responsible for learning, memory and
integrating the senses with emotions and motivations.

A study conducted by National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) in 2001 found
that even after discontinuing use for 24 hours, in addition to its other
side effects, users also have problems with memory, learning and
perception, experience difficulty in thinking and problem-solving, suffer
anxiety and panic attacks -- all side effects of THC.

Some SU students, however, said the drug does not seem to affect their
ability to do work.

"It's not a big deal to study after I've smoked," said Kostin. "It may take
a little longer and I usually have to reread the information a few times,
but by the end I've definitely learned it."

But most of the drug's side effects occur internally, making them difficult
to detect at first sight.

Research conducted by subsidiaries of the NIDA has found that marijuana
contains some, if not most, of the cancer-causing chemicals that are also
found in tobacco smoke.

The report found that regular users may also suffer from respiratory
problems similar to those of a tobacco smoker, such as coughing, phlegm
build-up, frequent chest colds and symptoms of chronic bronchitis.

Prolonged exposure to marijuana smoke can also damage lung tissue, causing
it to function abnormally.

Regardless of the THC content, the amount of tar inhaled by marijuana
smokers and the level of carbon monoxide absorbed are three to five times
greater than that of tobacco smokers, said Judith Brook, leader of the 1995
National Conference on Marijuana Use.

This is probably because of the differences in the smoking patterns of the
two substances: marijuana users inhale more deeply and hold the smoke in
the lungs for longer periods of time than tobacco smokers.

THC can be detected through urine tests for many days after being smoked.
In heavy users, however, traces can sometimes be detected for weeks after
they have stopped using the drug.

Whether or not marijuana use leads to usage of other drugs is undetermined,
but scientists are examining the possibility that long-term marijuana use
may create chemical changes in the brain that place a person at greater
risk for becoming addicted to other drugs.

Since 1970, marijuana in the United States has been a Schedule I controlled
substance. In other words, its smoked form is not considered an acceptable
medical use.

However, THC is manufactured into a prescription pill taken to calm the
side effects of certain cancer treatments, such as nausea and vomiting and
to help AIDS patients eat more to maintain their weight.

But while its benefits are helping to treat patients suffering from these
extreme illnesses, Dr. Carl Washington, associate professor of dermatology
at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, said only time and
research will prove its medical value.

"More research needs to be done on marijuana's side effects and potential
benefits before it can be used medically," he said.