Chronic exposure toΔ9-tetrahydrocannabinol fails to irreversibly alter brain cannabinoid receptors

Abstract The effects of chronicΔ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9 -THC) and marijuana administration on the properties of brain cannabinoid receptor populations of the rat and monkey, respectively, were examined in this study. It was determined that the properties of the cannabinoid receptors in the striatum, cerebral cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus, and brainstem/spinal cord of the rat do not appear to be irreversibly altered by chronic exposure toΔ 9 -THC. Similarly, the cannabinoid receptors in the caudate, prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum of the monkey do not appear to be irreversibly altered by chronic exposure to marijuana smoke.