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Show 3 Biochemical Progress During the past year supplies of marihuana and the concentrated "red oil" have become available to investigators. It is an advance that the NIMH is able now to assay these substances for THC content. Thus, the investigator knows the strength of the material he is The production of THe has been achieved, and shortly employing. it will be made in quantities sufficient to supply qualified researchers. THC, which has been tagged with radioactive tracer With this product material, is in the final stages of development. it will be possible to trace the distribution, metabolism and excretion of THC in animals. Tests to detect marihuana in body fluids are known. Work is being done on their simplification. The acute and chronic toxicity studies of marihuana derivatives in When these are completed, thorough studies animals have proceeded. of the toxic potential for man will be accelerated. Some of the work to demonstrate whether, and at what dose marihuana can affect the fctioning of kidney, liver, brain and other organs is under way. Naturally, the effect upon chromosomal structure is being studied. Psychopharmacology In addition to the social problem, the fact that marihuana induces thinking, feeling and sensation is a challenge to research. Our grantees and our Addiction Research Center are examining the nature of these changes and how they come about. If these questions were answered they would provide a significant contribution to the nature of normal and abnormal human mental functioning. changes in Questions like the physical harmfulness of marihuana may become irrelevant if such higher mental qualities as judgment, suggestibility and skilled performance are diminished. We are supporting and will support during the coming year studies to evaluate how the user interacts with other people, how well he can drive (using driving research laboratories), and how he performs on tests of discrimina tion and integration of ideas. Social and Educational Aspects The ways by which marihuana scrutiny by our grantees. studied in various these researchers social a use subgroups. regular users tend sedatives and a or recedes variety All that are now under multiple drug use are being Perhaps we will obtain from definitive answer about marihuana to hard narcotics. that spreads Patterns of can to consume other the escalation from be said at present hallucinogens, of other substances. is stimulants, |
