Dangerous Form of Marijuana

Marijuana is widely used by adolescents and adults for its pleasurable effects. 1 Drug Abuse Warning Network Year-end Preliminary Estimates from the 1996 Drug Abuse Warning Network. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, November, Washington DC1997 Google Scholar Although users typically experience euphoria, dysphoria may also occasionally occur. Recently the occurrence of severe dysphoria associated with marijuana smoking appears to be rising. This trend is specifically associated with the use of marijuana cigarettes that are allegedly treated with “embalming fluid” to enhance their euphoric effects. 2 Holland JA Nelson L Ravikumar PR et al. J Psychoactive Drugs. 1998; 30: 215-219 Crossref PubMed Scopus (23) Google Scholar Although undisclosed to most users, these cigarettes are adulterated with phencyclidine (PCP). Marijuana adulteration is not new, but the manner in which this agent is marketed is of great public health concern.