(b) Report of effects of marijuana by the World Health Organization
in 1965:
1. Loss of coordination.
2. Impairment of judgement and memory.
3. Confusion and delusions.
4. Stimulates aggressiveness.
5. Distortion of sensations (vision and hearing).
6. Time and space perceptive distortions.
(c) As mentioned previously, tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) has been
identified from the resin of the cannabis to be the active ingredient.
The
amount of this active ingredient varies from variety to variety of cannabis.
Cannabis indica, for example, has so much resin that the plant sweats the
resin. During the heat of the day it appears to be covered with dew.
(3) The illegal traffic in marijuana. The amount of marijuana used in
the military depends somewhat on the area where troops are stationed.
The
availability and cost are the big factors. Marijuana is much more available
and cheaper in Asia than in Europe.
Finally, in the overseas areas our
enforcement could be limited or enhanced. This would depend on the local laws,
government, and customs.
(a) In all areas of the Far East where US troops are stationed, the
cannabis plant grows, and the illegal traffic is carried out.
The drug is
available and cheap.
(b) The illegal traffic in marijuana is operated by underworld
characters; vast profits in this traffic are used for underworld purposes.
(4) The process of synthesizing THC. We are sure that you have heard of
synthetic THC. We will, therefore, briefly mention this hallucinogenic drug.
It is a colorless, odorless liquid. It may be added to regular cigarettes and
smoked.
This drug will give the same effect as marijuana.
The chemical
process involved in making THC is difficult and expensive. For this reason,
synthetic marijuana has not "hit the street" in great quantity. This drug was
placed under the provisions of the Drug Abuse Control Act of 1965.
It is
controlled in the military under the same provisions as marijuana.
b. Peyote is a type of cactus that grows around the Mexican-American
border. The buds of this cactus plant are chewed by Indians in this region in
conjunction with their religious activities. These Indians today belong to the
Native American Church.
They are an exception to federal law and may use
peyote.
Mescaline (phenylethylamine derivative) is derived from the peyote
button. It has similar effects as LSD. Mescaline is available on the illicit
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