POTpourri Trivia Quiz

Answer: hug drug

If you can tell a culture by its language, look up words for drugs and be very afraid! Weed, maryjane, reefer, grass, ganja, doobie...the list goes on--and that's just for marijuana. I'm sure you can come up with others but, moving along, 'hug drug' is a slang term for MDMA (i.e., methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also known as ecstasy or molly); it is usually in the form of a tablet.

Answer: cannabis

Indigenous to Central and South Asia (though flourishing almost everywhere), cannabis is the scientific name for the genus of this flowering plant. Cannabis includes three different species: sativa, rudica and ruderalis. It is a psychotropic drug which can result in alterations of perception and mood; it is considered a controlled substance in most parts of the world.

As for the incorrect choices: cambresine is a 'fine linen fabric'; canephor is a very specific word meaning a 'sculpted figure carrying a basket on the head'; camorra is a 'group united for nefarious ends'.

Answer: George Michael

Singer George Michael has been arrested many times for smoking marijuana, including charges of possession in 2008 and a DUI in August 2010 which resulted in a four-week jail sentence. However, he was hospitalized in 2011 for pneumonia and a subsequent three-week coma which forced him to re-examine his habits and convinced him to give up pot.

The other musicians listed have spoken in favor of the legalization of marijuana. When Melissa Etheridge was diagnosed with cancer and had to go through chemotherapy, she stated that she found pot eased the pain and helped with depression; John Legend has said that legalization will reduce crime; Santana has declared he want to invest the legal profits into education.

Answer: Mary-Louise Parker

Oh, so you know the protagonist of "Weeds" (2005-2012) is an actress with three names? So, the answer is Mary-Louise Parker who, as Nancy Botwin, started growing and selling pot to pay the family bills after her husband's unfortunate and unexpected demise. One of her customers is city councilman Doug Wilson (played by Kevin Nealon). Nancy also needs to keep her activity a secret from one of her neighbors, Celia Hodes, who is played by Elizabeth Perkins (who I've always confused with Mary-Louise Parker!). Parker won Golden Globe awards for "Weeds" and for "Angels in America" (2003).

She has also appeared on the TV shows "The West Wing" and "Blacklist".

Answer: Reefer Madness

The 1936 film "Reefer Madness" was originally titled "Tell Your Children". It was released as a cautionary tale with a story about a trio of drug dealers leading innocent teenagers astray and into 'reefer' addiction with wild parties and jazz music (this was before rock n roll became the 'devil's tool').

The poster for the movie says, "Women cry for it - Men die for it!" and calls it "The Sweet Pill that Makes Life Bitter". Unfortunately, because of the exaggerated fiction, "Reefer Madness" is often viewed today as a joke, along with other anti-marijuana pictures of that era.

In fact, in 2005 a tongue-in cheek TV movie called "Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical" was released.

Answer: THC

THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, the isomer that is the principal psychoactive constituent of 'pot'. Its chemical formula is C21H30O2, and it is listed as a Schedule III controlled substance. It is marketed under the brand name Marinol and is used to 'treat or prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer medicines' and can be used to increase the appetite of AIDS patients.

It has also been established that when THC counts in the bloodstream are five nanograms per milliliter or higher, a driver's chance of being in a fatal accident rises sharply.

Answer: California

By virtue of Proposition 215 in 1996 and Senate Bill 420, California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana. With a 55% majority, the initiative allowed people with chronic illnesses the right to grow or obtain marijuana (when recommended by a doctor).

It was signed into law by Governor Gray Davis. In January 2010, the California Supreme Court ruled that amendments to Prop 215 were illegal; this meant that all limits on medical marijuana were lifted at the time. Critics complained that 'pot' became quasi-legal afterwards, since it seemed that anyone could get a prescription anytime for practically anything.

Answer: Up in Smoke

Richard 'Cheech' Marin and Tommy Chong met in Canada in the late 1960s, originally doing stand-up comedy, record albums and low-budget films. In 1978, "Up in Smoke" was released about two 'stoners' who smuggle a van made entirely out of marijuana from Mexico to Los Angeles.

The movie became a cult classic and made the comedy duo of Cheech and Chong a household name. In 1985 they released an album called "Get Out of My Room", which featured the hit song "Born in East L.A." (based on Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A.") and shortly thereafter Cheech went on to pursue a solo career. Cheech had a major role in the TV show "Nash Bridges" while Chong appeared on "That 70s Show".

Answer: 49%

Are you surprised that almost half of all Americans have tried cannabis (according to this survey)? Additionally, the number of people who support its legalization, especially for medical purposes, has grown over the years. As Bob Dylan once put it, "The Times They Are A Changin'" but, like a pendulum, the American public's opinions are subject to change and the pendulum can always swing back toward our puritan heritage.

The Political Action Committee, CALM (Citizens Against Legalizing Marijuana) and other groups point to the dangers of users driving under the influence, believe that it is a toxic drug which affects the brain, and are afraid of the potential for increased crime.

Answer: ear infection

It seems incumbent upon me to end with a discussion of the downside of 'pot' usage. While all the choices above may seem somewhat innocuous, and ear infections are not listed as a symptom, I think we need to be aware of both the short-term and long-term effects of this substance. Per The Foundation for a Drug-Free World, side effects include: "sensory distortion, anxiety, poor coordination, panic, slower reaction time, sleepiness and increased heart beat" - and that's just in the short-term! Ongoing issues could also be reduced resistance to illness, suppression of the immune system, growth disorders, reduced sexual capacity, apathy, etc.