Marihuana Smoking

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Abstract
Marihuana smoking by subjects without previous experience causes an increase in limb blood flow concomitantly with a rise in pulse rate. These responses are still evoked after administration of atropine but not after pretreatment with propranolol, a beta-adrenergic blocker. The tachycardias of atropine and of epinephrine are potentiated by marihuana. These findings suggest that the increase in pulse rate and peripheral blood flow induced by cannabis involves beta-adrenergic vascular mechanisms, and counsel caution in the administration of vasoactive drugs and anesthetics for those who may have been smoking marihuana.