Marijuana and the Cannabinoids (Forensic Science and Medicine) (Hardcover)

About this book

Marijuana and the Cannabinoids presents a compendium of research into the botany, chemistry, and pharmacology of cannabis and the medicinal aspects of the cannabinoids. While medicinal use of Cannabis sativa L. has been reported for over 5000 years, interest in its medicinal potential and controversy surrounding its illicit use have grown exponentially since the identification of the chemical structure of the plant's active constituent (D9-THC) in 1964. This volume presents the findings of researchers on the forefront of this emerging and controversial field of study.
Chapter 1 is an overview of Cannabis and natural Cannabis medicines, while Chapter 2 focuses on the chemistry and analysis of phytocannabinoids and other Cannabis constituents. Chapter 3 discusses the potential of chemical fingerprinting of Cannabis as a means for source identification, and Chapters 4 and 5 outline the chemistry and pharmacology of cannabinoids and marijuana smoke condensate. In Chapter 6, the endocannabinoid system and the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids is presented. Chapter 7 provides technologies, development strategies, and multilevel applications for immunoassays for the detection of Cannabis abuse. In Chapter 8, mass spectrometric methods for the analysis of cannabinoids in physiological specimens are described. Chapters 9-12 discuss various consequences and adverse effects of prolonged marijuana use, including medical and health concerns and driving impairments. Chapters 13 and 14 examine postmortem considerations and the effects of cannabinoids on biopsychological, neuropsychiatric, and neurological processes.

Readership: Toxicologists, Forensic Scientists, Clinicians, Medical Personnel, and Pharmacologists.

Preface ................................................................................................................ v
Contributors ...................................................................................................... ix

CHAPTER 1 - Cannabis and Natural Cannabis Medicines
Robert C. Clarke and David P. Watson ................................................................ 1

CHAPTER 2 - Chemistry and Analysis of Phytocannabinoids and Other Cannabis Constituents
Rudolf Brenneisen................................................................................................ 17

CHAPTER 3 - Chemical Fingerprinting of Cannabis as a Means of Source Identification
Mahmoud A. ElSohly, Donald F. Stanford, and Timothy P. Murphy ...................... 51

CHAPTER 4 - Marijuana Smoke Condensate: Chemistry and Pharmacology
Hala N. ElSohly and Mahmoud A. ElSohly ...................................................... 67

CHAPTER 5 - Pharmacology of Cannabinoids
Lionel P. Raymon and H. Chip Walls ................................................................ 97

CHAPTER 6 - The Endocannabinoid System and the Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids
Billy R. Martin .................................................................................................... 125

CHAPTER 7 - Immunoassays for the Detection of Cannabis Abuse: Technologies, Development Strategies, and Multilevel Applications
Jane S-C. Tsai ..................................................................................................... 145

CHAPTER 8 - Mass Spectrometric Methods for Determination of Cannabinoids in Physiological Specimens
Rodger L. Foltz ................................................................................................... 179

CHAPTER 9 - Human Cannabinoid Pharmacokinetics and Interpretation of Cannabinoid Concentrations in Biological Fluids and Tissues
Marilyn A. Huestis and Michael L. Smith ....................................................... 205

CHAPTER 10 - Medical and Health Consequences of Marijuana
Jag H. Khalsa ..................................................................................................... 237

CHAPTER 11 - Effects of Marijuana on the Lung and Immune Defenses
Donald P. Tashkin and Michael D. Roth ......................................................... 253

CHAPTER 12 - Marijuana and Driving Impairment
Barry K. Logan ................................................................................................... 277

CHAPTER 13 - Postmortem Considerations
Steven B. Karch .................................................................................................. 295

CHAPTER 14 - Cannabinoid Effects on Biopsychological, Neuropsychiatric, and Neurological Processes
Richard E. Musty ................................................................................................ 303

Index ........................................................................................................................... 317