Interactions can be expected between cannabis and a wide range of drugs. Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant. Cannabis interacts adversely with tricyclic andidepressants. Cannabis, on its own, produces tachycardia as a side-effect. Tricyclics do the same. Combined, there is an additive effect, with a bigger increase in heart rate. I have seen this with cannabis + doxepin (heart rate >150, as well as BP 99/75, dizziness and severe anxiety). In this case, doxepin's hypotensive (blood pressure-lowering) effect (another common side-effect of tricyclics) was also potentiated. Tricyclic antidepressants have a certain effect on the heart. This effect can be described as cardiotoxicity. In normal dosage, in individuals with no heart disorder, this causes no problems at all. (In overdosage, tricyclics can produce serious cardiac arrhythmias.) I suspect that in the interaction with cannabis, the cardiotoxic effect of tricyclics is somewhat potentiated. (I don't know if this has produced hazardous changes in ECG rhythm.) The effects of cannabis + nortriptyline in particular have been documented. I remember seeing a couple of references to all of this in Martindale's "Extra Pharmacopoeia", 29th edition, under 'Cannabis', but I haven't read them. ***************************** Article Separation *************************** From: [R G D 101] at [psuvm.psu.edu] Date: 4 Oct 91 19:20:40 GMT Newsgroups: alt.drugs Subject: UN Decision Having seen references to a UN decision to change marijuana from a schedule I to schedule II drug, I decided to try and track down a copy of this decision. After many visits to the documents section, one of the reference librarians found the decision for me. I am posting it just for general information, and so that anyone else that wants it can obtain a copy. It was found in the UN Microfiche set # E/CN.7/1991/26, and it is on page 98. Decision 2 (XXXIV) Transfer of delta-9-THC and its stereochemical variants from Schedule I to Schedule II of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971. At its 1045th meeting, on April 29,1991, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, in accordance with article 2, paragraphs 5 and 6, of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971, decided that delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (also referred to as delta-9-THC) and its stereochemical variants should be transferred from Schedule I to Schedule II of that Convention. Wouldn't it be interesting to see if Bush pushes for this as hard as he does when UN decisions affect another country, such as Iraq? Anyone requiring any additional information can e-mail to me.