Pharmacology of Cannabis

Topic

Pharmacology of Cannabis

Instructions

Select a psychoactive drug that is of pharmacological interest to you, but not one you will review as part of your Critical Review. For this paper, you may choose drugs of abuse; however, the paper must focus on the pharmacology of the drug and not on the social or addictive aspects. If you focus on addiction and social impact, your paper will not receive credit.
In addition to the text, research a minimum of three peer-reviewed articles published within the last five years on your selected drug. Prepare a three-page summary of the drug using the PSY630 Rapid Review Example paper as a guide.
In your Rapid Review, analyze and explain the pharmacological aspects of the drug as they relate to the following: neurotransmitters affected, receptors, route of administration, half-life, doses, side effects, drug interactions, contraindications, and other important facets of the drug. Explain these aspects of the drug in terms of the psychiatric disorders indicated for the drug and the issue(s) associated with that use. If there is no accepted therapeutic use for the drug, evaluate and describe the actions of the drug with regard to the abuse process.

The paper:

  • Must be four double-spaced pages in length, excluding title page and references page, and it must be formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
  • Must include a title page with the following:
    • Title of paper
    • Your name
    • Course name and number
    • Your instructor’s name
    • Date submitted
  • Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
  • Must use at least three peer-reviewed sources in addition to the text.
  • Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
  • Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Answer preview

Cannabis, also known as marijuana, is one of the most frequently used illicit drugs worldwide. The drug belongs to a class of psychoactive drugs, which contain chemical substances that act on an individual’s central nervous system altering brain function and causing impermanent changes in behavior and cognition functions (Potter et al., 2008). Cannabis usually has a high risk of dependency leading to substance abuse and thus has no widely accepted medical use. Additionally, in most states, the drug is prohibited, thus cannot be obtained as a prescription, with the exception of a few states that may have legalized its use. This paper critically analyzes the pharmacological aspect of cannabis.

Word count: 1258