Page 81 - Pharmacognosy-II (06-PG 303)

• Heavy cannabis consumption is associated with a higher prevalence of symptoms of chronic bronchitis
and a higher incidence of acute bronchitis.

• Cannabis used during pregnancy is associated with impairment in fetal development leading to
a reduction in birth weight;cannabis use during pregnancy may lead to postnatal risk of rare forms of
cancer although more research is needed in this area.

Marijuana and Memory Problems:

The memory issues come from the way marijuana hits the hippocampus, the region of the brain that
regulates short-term memory. The effect of cannabis temporarily prevents the brain from developing
new memories and learning new things, which is a form of short-term memory.

The Dangers of Marijuana:

Marijuana may indeed be harmful. There is a link between long-term marijuana use and increased
rates of schizophrenia, depression and anxiety.
Marijuana also increases a person's heart rate for up to three hours after use, putting users at risk for
heart attack during that period.
Additionally, addiction and withdrawal can be common with marijuana use.

Authentication:

1. Macroscopical, Microscopical, Organoleptic characteristics.
2. Chromatography: TLC, GC, HPLC, using reference samples.
3. Chemical tests:

1. Fast Blue B Test:
✓ Place 1 mg of cannabis on the upper side of sheets of filter paper.
✓ Add light petroleum (40-60 oC) drop by drop until the lower paper is just moist.
✓ Remove the upper paper and add to the lower one part of Fast Blue B reagent, a red to violet

colour is developed.

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