Symptoms of Marijuana Use

There are many physical and psychological symptoms of marijuana use. However, it can be difficult to recognize the symptoms if you are not around the user after they have taken the drug. Once the effects wear off it can be near impossible to determine if someone has used marijuana.

Marijuana affects the brain in some of the same ways that other drugs do. Researchers are examining the possibility that long-term marijuana use may create changes in the brain that make a person more at risk of becoming addicted to other drugs, such as alcohol or cocaine. While not all young people who use marijuana go on to use other drugs, further research is needed to determine who will be at greatest risk.

Some users, especially someone new to the drug or in a strange setting, may suffer acute symptoms of marijuana use such as anxiety and paranoid thoughts. This is more likely to happen with high doses of THC. These scary feelings will fade as the drug's effects wear off. When the early effects fade, over a few hours, the user may become very sleepy. In rare cases, a user who has taken a very high dose of the drug can have severe psychotic symptoms of marijuana use and need emergency medical treatment. We have listed numerous marijuana use symptoms below to help in determining if someone you care for may be using marijuana.

  • Symptoms of Marijuana use:
    • Dilated (large) pupils
    • Bloodshot eyes
    • Sleepy appearance
    • Reduced motivation
    • Difficulty thinking
    • Distorted sensory perceptions
    • Dry mouth
    • Euphoria (temporary feelings of elation, energy and limitless power)
    • Feeling sluggish
    • Grandiosity (acting in a pompous or boastful manner)
    • Impaired judgment
    • Impaired short-term memory
    • Inappropriate laughter
    • Increased heart rate
    • Increased appetite, craving sweets
    • Reduced coordination
    • Temporary feelings of reduced anxiety or stress
    • Sadness/depressed mood
    • Sensation that time is passing slowly
    • Social withdrawal and isolation
    • Craving for sweets
    • Enlarged eye pupils
    • Red, puffiness under the eyes
San Diego Hazy About Medical Marijuana Rules
September 7, 2009 SAN DIEGO — Some San Diego city council members think the city’s rules about medical marijuana are hazy. On Tuesday the council will consider creating a task force to clear things up. The city of San Diego was waiting to see whether the U.S. Supreme Court would hear an appeal of California’s Medical Marijuana law brought by San Diego County. The court declined to consider the case. Now the city’s moving forward. Councilwoman Marti Emerald says a task force will help solidify the city’s policy on how to regulate dispensaries
More...
Atascadero council weighs marijuana dispensary ban
After several calls expressing interest in opening a medical marijuana dispensary in Atascadero, the City Council on Tuesday could move to ban them temporarily before any potential proprietors file permits. That would reverse a 2006 city ordinance that would allow a dispensary in Atascadero. City staff is recommending that an urgency ordinance be adopted by the council to place a temporary 45-day moratorium. Current law allows just one dispensary and bars it from being within 1,000 feet of a school, church or park.
More...
Decriminalize marijuana for medical use
Iowa’s lawmakers must do the compassionate thing and legalize marijuana for medical use. This drug is no cure-all, but there has been enough tested research detailing its benefits to convince us that it has positive health benefits and a legitimate place in a patient’s spectrum of care. What ultimately sold us was the testimony of those who spoke Wednesday at the medical marijuana hearing sponsored by the Iowa Pharmacy Board.
More...
Budding industry: Medical marijuana grows in ski country
ASPEN — In a tiny, windowless room outfitted with a combination keypad lock on the door, a patient mulls the potency of marijuana strains with names like Sour Diesel, Northern Light and AK-47. Sealed jars of the pungent, green buds line the sole shelf inside a locked, glass display case, along with cannabis-infused cooking oils, tinctures and granola bars. The sale of medical marijuana in Aspen is under way. A new industry has exploded across Colorado, and dispensaries are popping up in mountain towns like ski racks in November. The Roaring Fork Valley has four already, including two in Aspen, and more are expected.
More...