Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded flowers, stems, seeds, and leaves of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. It is also known as hash, pot and weed. Marijuana, cultivated from the cannabis plant, is one of the oldest psychoactive plants known. Cannabis has also become one of the most widespread and diversified plants on the earth. It grows as weeds and as cultivated plants all over the world in a wide range of climates. The preparations of cannabis have been used as a remedy for centuries and the active ingredients can be put to use in a variety of medical situations.

It is usually smoked in a cigarette or pipe or bong. Marijuana is mixed into foods or use it to brew tea or mixed in some bakery products such as cookies and cakes. THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol is the active substance in Cannabis. Marijuana contains more than 400 other chemicals, including some of the same carcinogens

Marijuana has both positive effects and negative effects. Negative effects are impaired alertness, difficulty concentrating, poor coordination and bad reaction times. These effects can last up to 24 hours. Prolonged consumption of marijuana leads to addiction.

Marijuana addiction is characterized by compulsive, often uncontrollable desire for consuming marijuana. Addiction of anything has adverse effects on one’s health. Marijuana addiction has both short and long term effects on human health.

The short-term effects of marijuana or cannabis addiction include difficulty in sleeping, bloodshot eyes, increased in heart rate, paranoia, reduced social inhibitions and altered reaction times. The long-term effects of marijuana or cannabis addiction include enhanced risk for cancer, decrease in testosterone levels in men and women. However researchers have different views on effects of the addiction.

Some studies suggest that in people who heavily smoke marijuana, skills relating to memory, attention and learning are all affected. Some people also face difficulties in concentration, sustaining attention, shifting attention to changes in their environments and processing new information due to brain alterations caused by the use of marijuana.

Treatment of marijuana addiction is dependent on the severity and nature of the individual’s addiction to marijuana, motivation, and the availability of services. The addicted person may enter a drug addiction treatment center or join a treatment program.

The first stage of marijuana addiction is “Detoxification”. It manages the acute physical symptoms of withdrawal associated with stopping marijuana use. It is not sufficient alone to help addicts achieve abstinence from addiction.

The appropriate duration for treatment of an individual depends on his or her problems and needs. Research indicates that for a minimum time for significant improvement is reached at about 3 months in treatment.

There is no quick recovery for marijuana addiction. Recovery from addiction is an ongoing and long process. Whatever the course of the treatment teaches the patient, must be integrated into everyday life and this takes time. The treatment programs should include a quality, continuing care program that supports and monitors recovery. Family and friends should provide emotional support to the patient, so that he gets moral support for a quick recovery.