REVIEW ON POISON & TOXICOLOGY

(Floramante Garcia Jr.)

Toxicology − is that branch of science which treats of poisons, their origin, physical and chemical properties,
physiological action treatment of their noxious effect, and methods of detection.
Toxicology − “toxic” means poison; “ology” mean − Science
Definition of poison − (From the medical point of view): A substance which when introduced into the body and is
absorbed through the blood steam and acting chemically, is capable of introducing noxious effect or destroy life.

Classification of poison
a) According to kingdom
1. animal − ex. Characteristic
2. vegetable − ex. Strychnine
3. mineral − ex. Hydrochloric acid
b) According to chemical properties.
1. Inorganic poisons.
a. Volatile and non–volatile − ex. Bromine, chlorine, iodine, sulfuric avid.
b. Mineral acids − ex. Hydrochloric acid
c. Mineral alkalies − ex. Sodium hydroxides
2. Organic poisons
a. volatile − ex. Alcohol, chloroform
b. alkalcids − ex. Strychnine
c. animal poisons − ex. Snake venom
d. bacterial − ex. ptomains
e. organic aid − ex. salisilic acid
f. glucosides − ex. digitalis
c) according to physiological action
1. Corrosive − highly irritant poisons which cause local destruction of tissues and characterized by nausea,
vomiting and great local distress.
Ex. strong acid and alkalies
2. Irritants − produces irritation of inflammation of the mucus membrane and characterized by vomiting,
pain in the abdomen, and purging.
Ex. arsenic, cantharides
3. Narcotics − poison which produce stuper, complete insensibility, or loss of feeling.
Ex. opium, demerd, cocaine
4. Neurotics − one which act chiefly on the nervous system producing delirium, convulsion, and coma, with
disordered circulation and respiration as the outstanding symptoms.
Ex. alcohol, opium, CO, strychnine
5. Tetanics − substance which act directly upon the spinal cord producing such spasmodic and continuos
contraction of muscles as a result of stiffness or immobility of the parts to which they are attached.
6. Depressant or sedatives − agents which retard or depress the physiological action of the organ.
Ex. nicotine, cocaine
7. Asthenics or exhaustives − agents which produce exhaustion marked loss of vital or muscular power.
Ex. hydrocyanic acid
d) According to pharmacological action
1. Substances characterized by local action − Ex. volatile oils, skin irritants
2. Substances characterized by their action after absorption − Ex. alkaloids
3. Heavy metals and metalloids − Ex. P, As, and Hg
e) According to methods of isolation
1. Volatile poison and those isolated by distillation with or without current of system.
Ex. alcohol, phenol, chloroform
2. Non-volatile poisons − those that are isolated by extraction with organic solvents.
Ex. alkaloids, organic acids
3. Metallic poisons − Ex. As, Hg
4. Substances for which special methods of isolation are required.
Ex. acids, alkaloids and salts of alkali metals are extracted with water

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TYPE OF POISONING
a) From the medical point of view
b) From the legal point of view

FROM THE MEDICAL POINT OF VIEW:

1. Acute poisoning − one in which there is prompt and marked disturbance of function or death within a short
time due to either taking a strong poison in excessive single dose or several small doses at short interval.
2. Sub-acute poisoning − cases of short duration and extreme violence which may include symptoms of chronic
poisoning.
3. Chronic poisoning − kind of poisoning in which there is gradual deterioration of function of tissues and may
or may not result in death. It is produced by either taking several small doses at long intervals or taking only
toxic doses of the drug.
FROM THE LEGAL POINT OF VIEW:
1. Accidental poisoning − those in which the poison was taken without intention to cause death, it may be taken
by mistake or without knowing that it is poisonous.
2. Suicidal − those in which the poison was taken by the victim voluntarily for the purpose of taking his own life.
3. Homicidal − those in which the poison was given willfully, wantonly, and with intent to cause death to the
victim.
4. Undetermined − those in which the history is hazy as to how the poison was obtained andit was administered.
ACTION OF POISONS
a. Local − Changes or disturbance produced on the part with which the poison comes in contact.
b. Remote − the changes or disturbance produced in distant part away from the site of application.
c. Combined − the effect of the poison is not only localized at the site but also affect remote organs.
CONDITIONS MODIFYING THE ACTION OF POISONS
a) those attributed to the individual
1. Age and sex
2. Health
3. Habit − the repeated taking of small dose drugs it builds up immunity.
4. Idiosyncrasy − a term applied to individuals who exhibit unusual reaction to a certain substance.
5. Disease
6. Food
7. Exhaustion
8. Sleep
b) Those which are attributed to the poison
1. physical state
2. dilution
3. solubility of poison
4. mode of administration
5. chemical combination
6. mechanical combination
7. dose − the quantity of a poison to be administered at one time
Posology − a branch of science which treat of the form and quantity of medicinr to be administered within a certain
period.
KIND OF DOSE
1. Safe dose − one that does not cause harmful effect
2. Toxic dose or poisonous dose − on that is harmful both to healthy and sick person.
3. Lethal dose − one that kills
4. Minimum dose − is the smallest amount that will produce the therapeutic affect without causing harm.
5. Maximum dose − is the largest amount that will cause no harm but at the same time produce the desired
therapeutic effect

ENTRANCE OF POISON
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POISON MAY ENTER THE BODY THROUGH:
1. mouth and are absorbed into the circulation after passing through the stomach and intestinal wall
2. nose and enter the blood from the upper respiratory passages or lungs
3. eyes
4. rectum, vagina, urethra, bladder and ureter by ection.
5. Hypodermic injection
6. Intravenous injection

ELIMINATION OF POISONS
POISON MAY BE ELIMINATED BY:
1. emesis
2. respiration
3. feces
4. urine
5. milk
6. savila
7. sweat
8. tears

DIAGNOSIS OF POISONING BEFORE DEATH

DIAGNOSIS OF POISONING BEFORE DEATH IS VERY DIFFICULT BECAUSE:

1. Large number of poisons and the factors modifying their actions.
2. Some of the symptoms observed in cases of poisoning are also see in certain diseases.
DISTINGUISHING POISONING FROM DISEASES
1. symptoms of poisoning come suddenly upon a person whose previously has been in good health, while
disease is usually proceeded by a number of hour, days or even weeks of local or general indisposition.
2. In cases of poisoning, the symptoms commonly make their appearance after taking of food, drinks or
medicine.
3. If several persons take the same food and drinks, they should all show similar symptoms.
4. Diseases are generally much slower in their progress and are preceded by cumstances as exposure,
recognized symptoms and general or local indisposition of longer duration.

GENERAL TREATMENT OF POISONING

1. Removal of the position from the stomach.
2. Administration of antidotes.
3. Elimination of poisons by exertion.
4. Stimulation and other symptomatic treatment.
5. Special treatment.
Antidotes − are agent which neutralize a poison or otherwise counteract or oppose it or its effect.
KINDS OF ANTIDOTES
1. Mechanical antidote − an agent that removes the poison without changing it or coats the surface of the organ
so that absorption is prevented.
2. Chemical antidotes − substances that make the poison harmless by chemically alerting it. The antidote
renders the poison insoluble or alert.
3. Physiological antidote − sometimes called ANTAGONIST, an agent that acts upon the system so as so to
counteract the effect of poison. It merely mask the symptoms produced.

KIND OF CHEMICAL ANTIDOTE

a) stomach tube or pump
b) emetics − agent which produce vomiting

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 Classes of emetics
1. Local emetics
2. General emetics
c) Cathartics − agent which produce intestinal evacuation
d) Demulcents − substances which soo the and protect the part with which they are applied.
e) Precipitants − these are substances which prevent absorption of poisons by precipitating them and rendering
them soluble.
Investigation of fatal cases − in the investigation of fatal poisoning cases, it is not necessary that an investigator
should be an expert on poisons, since he will be assisted in this investigation by a medico legal officer and a
toxicologist but it is important and will be of great help to him to know the following:
1. symptoms of various kinds of poisoning
2. the lethal dose of a poison
3. the length of time that may elapse after the poison has been taken, before death occurs.
4. Where the poison was obtained
5. The chemical formula of the poison
6. Other names of it is known in the market
7. Uses of poison
8. Antidotes for the poison.
EVIDENCE OF POISONING IN THE LIVING BODY
The evidence of poisoning will depend upon whether the poisoning is acute or chronic. In acute poisoning
the symptoms appear suddenly while the individual is in good health. The person is usually affected with a group
of symptoms of a definite characteristics out of consonance with his previous state of health. In chronic poisoning,
the onset of the symptoms is more gradual and insidious due to small quantity of poison which has been
administered on such occasion since the intention of the poisoner is kill his victim slowly in order to avert
suspicion.
EVIDENCE OF POISONING IN THE DEATH
In all cases of poisoning whether homicidal or suicidal, fatal or not, the presence of oison must be proved
and proofs of poisoning in the dead may be obtained fom:
1. post-mortem examination or autopsy − an examination of a death body especially to determine the
cause of death.
2. Evidence from chemical analysis of the organs taken from the body.
POST MORTEM APPEARANCE POISONS INDICATED
1. Lessions of the mouth.
a. blackening and severe corrosion − sulfuric acid
b. brownish-yellowish stain − strong mineral acid, oxalic acid, carboxylic acid lysol
c. corrosion and softening of the tissue of the
mouth and throat. − alkalies
d. Severe corrosion without blackening. − hydrochloric acid
e. Severe corrosion and yellow stain nitric acid
f. Lips swollen, bronchopneumonia if death is
delayed − ammonia
g. Mucous membrane whitened − oxalic acid
h. Blue and blackline on gums − Pb, Bi, Hg, Ag
i. Yellow stains about the lips, soluble in NH 3 − iodine
j. Reddening of mucuous membrane of mouth,
eye and glands. − formalin

− strong acid
2. Lessions of the gastro-intestinal tract. − caustic alkalies
a. corrosion − oxalic acid
b. soapiness − acetic acid
c. dark brown gelatinous mass in the stomach
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 d. stomach grayish white − picric acid, potassium dichromate
e. stomach yellow or reddish yellow
− hydrocyanic acid, cyanides, CO
3. other lessions and changes − potassium, sodium nitrite, CO
a. bright red, spots on skin − opium and some of its derivatives in some cases
b. tissue abnormally red − belladonna, scopolamine
c. odors marked on opening the body − ergot
d. pupils contracted
e. dry gangrene of extremities
Interpretation of toxicological analysis

Post mortem examination confirmed the strong possibility of poisoning but toxicological analysis failed to
show the pressure of the poison. The negative result of the toxicological examination must be interpreted to
explain the discrepancy between the clinical and post mortem findings and that of the toxicological analysis.

REASONS FOR NEGATIVE RESULTS OF THE TOXICOLOGICAL EXAMINATION

a) some poison maybe rapidly altered in the body to a form which is not detectable by the methods of a nalysis
employed.
b) Some poisons with or without previous chemical change maybe rapidly exerted but not in the tissues and may
only be detectable in the urine but not in the body tissues and organs.
c) Sometimes symptoms of poisoning may appear which maybe fatal, following the administration of even small
and ordinarily harmless quantity of a substance classes as a poison.
In every case of poisoning the expert is often confronted with forensic questions which he should explain in order
to help the investigator in assessing the evidence.

FORENSIC QUESTIONS FOR THE TOXICOLOGIST TO EXPLAIN:

1. Was the death or illness of the subject caused by the poison?
2. What poison produced the illness or death?
3. When and how was the poison administered?
4. Could the substance administered caused illness or death?
5. Was the substance found by the toxicologist in the body the poison which caused death?
6. Is the substance given in minute quantity a poison?
7. Was the poison taken in sufficient quantity to produce death?
8. Way a poisoning have occurred and the poison either be or become undetectable?
9. May the poison extracted from the body have an origin other than that of poisoning?
10. May the poisoning be stimulated?

LAW CONTROLLING THE SALE STORAGE OF POISON:

1. Sec. 755 − Provisions relative to dispensing of violet poisnons
2. Sec. 756 − Provisions relative to dispersing of less violet poison
3. Sec. 757 − Receptacle for poisonous poisons.

Stage of intoxication % of ethanol in blood Clinical manifestations

Subclinical 0.1 − 0.10 Normal by ordinary observation
Apparent stimulation 0.05 − .20 1. decreased inhibition
2. emotional instability
3. incoordination
4. slowing of reaction to stimuli

Confusion 0.10 − .30 1. disturbance of sensation

2. decreased pain sense
3. staggering gait
4. slurred speech

Stupor 0.25 − 0.40 1. marked decreased to stimuli

2. approaching paralysis

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Comma or death 0.35 − 0.50 1. complete unconsciousness
2. subnormal temperature
3. anesthesia
4. impairment of circulation
5. stetorous breathing

SPECIMEN MINIMUM AMOUNT POISONS FOR WHICH BEST SUITED

Stomach contents All available In cases of poisoning in which it is suspected
that the poisons was taken by mouth within a
few hours
Stomach The whole specimen For all types of poisoning taken by mouth
Intestinal content All available For cases in which the poison was taken by
mouth within one or two days
Liver 300 gms Metals, barbiturates, fluorides, oxalates,
sulfonal and many other poisons
Kidney one kidney Metals, especially mercury, sulfonamides
Blood at least 10 cc. All gas poisons, sulfonamides, bromides,
alcoholism, drowning for chloride contents
Brain 500 gms Volatile poisons, alkaloids, alcoholism
Urine all available In nearly all types of poisoning
Lungs one lung For inhaled poison (proof of entry)
200 gms Lead, arsenic, radium
Bone 200 mgs In most acute poisoning and internal organs
Muscle are badly putrefied
5 gms Chronic arsenic poisoning
Hair, fingernails

COMMON POISONS
1. Caffeine − found in coffee
2. Salicylic acid − found in ap – ap solution
3. Formalin − embalming fluid
4. Cocaine − found in coca leaf
5. Picrotoxin − fish berries
6. Ethyl alcohol or ethanol − alcohol found in wine; also called grain alcohol
7. Ergot − develops on rye plant
8. Barbiturate − a sleeping pill; a derivatives of malonyl urea
9. Strychnine − alkaloid found in nux vomica
10. Nicotine − found in leaves of tobacco plant
11. Morphine − found in poppy plant (papaver somniferum)
12. Physostigmine − also called aserine
13. Chloral hydrate − used as knock-out drops
14. Carbolic acid or phenol − obtained from coal tar
15. Arsenic − a rat poison
16. Lysol − a disinfectant
17. Methyl alcohol or methanol − causes blindness; solvent for vanish; anti-freeze in automobile; also called wood
alcohol.

18. Chloroform − an anaesthesia

19. Carbon tetrachloride − a dry cleaning agent; found in PYRENE fire extinguisher
20. Formic acid − acid found in ants and spider
21. Hydrogen cyanide − found in kamoteng kahoy
22. Acetic acid − acid found in vinegar

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23. Aspirin − an analgesic; its chemical name is acetosalicylic acid
24. Atropine − obtained from the plant group in cactus
25. Amygdalin − white crystalline substance found in bitter almond
26. Phosphorus − glows in the dark
27. Peyote − same as mescaline; found in cactus
28. Ptomaine − found in dead or decaying matter
29. Isopropyl alcohol − present in rubbing alcohol
30. Cannabinoids − found in marijuana
31. Methamphetamine hydrochloride − commonly called “shabu”; regulated drug
32. Heroin or diacetyl morphine − a derivatives of morphine
33. Acetosalicylic acid − aspirin
34. Potassium cyanide − jeweler’s solution
35. Opium −found in poppy plant
Morphine heroin
Poppy plant − poppy capsule − opium − Codein
Thebaine
Meconic acid
36. Benzene − also called Benzol; a solvent for recin; gums, rubber and fats
37. Nitrobenzene − a pale yellow oily liquid which resembles oil of bitter almond
38. Acetone − a solvent for cellulose acetate and nitrocellulose and has a characteristic fruity odor.
39. Carbon disulfide − a solvent for sulfur and burns giving off CO 2 and SO2
40. Ether − a transparent, colorless mobile liquid which is highly volatile and inflammable.

THREE (3) STAGES IN CHLOROFORM POISONING BY INHALATION

1. stage of excitement
2. stage of surgical anesthesia
3. stage of paralysis

LAWS REGARDING SALE AND STORAGE OF POISONS

The law controlling the sale and storage of poison are found under Secs. 755 to 757 of the administrative
code.

Sec 755 − Provisions relative to dispensing of violet poisons

Every person which dispenses, sells or delivers any of the following violet poisons to wit: arsenical
solutions, phosphorus, corrosive sublimate, cyanide of potassium or other cyanides, atropine, cocaine, morphine,
strychnine, or any of their salts, and all other poisonous vegetable alkaloids or any of their salts, hydrocyanic acid,
or prussic acid, oil of bitter almonds containing hydrocyanic acid oil of mirbane (nitrobenzene), opium and its
preparations, except paregoric and such others as contain less than four hundred and fifty milligrams of opium per
one hundred cubic centimeters, shall make or cause to be made in a book kept for the purpose of recording the
sale of such poisons an entry starting the date of each sale and the name and address of the purchaser, the
name and quantity of the poison sold, the purpose for which it was claimed to be purchased before delivering it to
the purchaser.

Sec. 756 − Provision relative to dispersing of less violet poison.

Every person who dispenses, sells, or delivers any aconite, belladonna, cantharide, colchicum, conium,
cotton root, digitalis, ergot, hellebore, henbane, phytolaca, strophantus, oil of tansy, veratrum viride or their
pharmaceutical preparations, carbolic acid, chloralhydrate, chloroform, creosote, croton oil, mineral acids, oxy

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acid, paris green, salt of lead, slat of zinc, tartar emetic, white hellebore, or any drug, chemical or preparation
which according to standard works of medicine or materia medica liable to be destructive to human life in
quantities of four grams less without prescription of a physician, should label the receptables containing them as
in above provided for violet poisons, but shall not be required to resister the same.
Sec. 757 − Receptacles for poisonous drugs
The poisonous drugs specified in the two proceeding sections shall be kept in a cabines to be provided in
every pharmacy carrying such drugs in stock for the reatil trade; and the same shall be kept securely locked when
not in use.
SYMPTOMS OF CHLOROFORM POISONING
Three (3) stages in chloroform poisoning by inhalation
1. Stage of excitement − characterized by a feeling of warmth, first in the face, then the entire body and followed
by a tingling sensation of the skin.
2. Stage of surgical anaesthesia − characterized by a relaxation of the muscles and the patient lies perfectly still
with regular but slow and shallow respiration and is entirely insensible to pain.
3. Stage of paralysis − characterized by a fall blood pressure and the failure of the respiration and the heart. The
skin becomes cyanotic, the pupils are widely dilated, and death due to failure of respiration.
COMMON VOLATILE, NON-VOLATILE AND METALLIC POISONS
Alkaloid − a nitrogeneous organic basic compound with bitter taste containing usually oxygen that occur especially
in seed palnts.
1. Benzene − also called benzol. A solvent for rubber, gums, resins, fats
2. Carbon disulfide − solvent for sulfur, burns with bluish flame giving carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide.
3. Nitrobenzene − a pale yellow, oily liquid with sweet odor. Resembles oil of bitter almond.
4. Acetone − used as solvent for cellulose acetate and nitrocellulose. Colorless liquid of characteristic fruity odor.
5. Ether − highly volatile and inflammable liquid. Transparent, colorless mobile liquid. Used as general
anaesthesia. Safer than chloroform.
6. Caffeine − found in coffee
7. Salisylic acid − found in ap-ap solution
8. Formalin − an embalming liquid/fluid
9. Cocaine − found in coca leaf
10. Picrotoxin − derived from fish berries (fruit of picrotoxin); locally known as “lagtang”
11. Ethyl alcohol or ethanol − alcohol found in wine; also called grain alcohol
12. Ergot − develops on rye plant. A fungus that grows on kernels of rye and other cereal grain.
13. Barbiturate − a sleeping pill; a derivative of malonyl urea or barbituric acid.
Ex. secobarbital, phenobarbital, amobarbital.
14. Strychnine − an alkaloids found in dried ripe seeds of nux vomica.
15. Nicotine − found in leaves of tobacco plant
16. Morphine − found in poppy plants (papaver somniferum); an alkaloid present in opium by about 9%; a white
crystals.
17. Physostigmine − also called aserine; found in calabar beans
18. Chlorol hydrate − used as “knock-out” drops
19. Carbolic acid or phenol − obtained from coal tar
20. Arsenic − a rat poison; brittle, steel gray
21. Lysol − a disinfectant; a brown liquid from cresol and soap emulsion
22. Methyl alcohol or methanol − causes blindness; a solvent for varnish; an anti-freeze in automobiles; also
called wood alcohol
23. Chloroform − a colorless liquid with a sweet taste and suffocating odor; an anaesthesia.
24. Carbon tetrachloride − a dry cleaning agent; found in “PYRENE” fire extinguisher
25. Formic acid − acid found in ants and spiders
26. Hydrogen cyanide − found in kamoteng kahoy; also called hydrocyanic acid or prussic acid
27. Acetic acid − acid found in venegar. In pure form is called glacial acetic acid.

28. Aspirin − an analgesic; its chemical name is aceto-salicylic acid

29. Atropine − obtained from the plant group “solanaceae”
30. Amygdalin − white crystalline substance found in bitter almond
31. Phosphorus − glows in the dark
32. Peyote − same as mascaline; found in cactus
33. Ptomaine − found in dead or decaying matter like spoiled meat
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34. Isopropyl alcohol − present in rubbing alcohol
35. Cannabinoids − found in marijuana, hashish
36. Methamphetamine hydrochloride − commonly called “shabu”; regulated drug
37. Heroin or diacetyl morphine − also called diacetylmorphine; a derivatives of morphine; a light brown powder
38. Potassium cyanide − called jeweler’s solution
39. Opium −the milky exudate from the unripe capsule of the poppy plant (papaver somniferum) which has been
dried. Dark, chocolate brown, has characteristic coffee odor. Its found in poppy plant. Contains the alkaloids
morpine, codeine, thebaine, papaverine
40. Mescaline − crystalline alkaloidal drug that produces hallucinogenic effect
41. Cyanides − from kernels of various fruits in the form of amygdalin
42. Codeine − metha morphine
43. Conine − most active poisons alkaloid of common or spotted hemlock (conium maculatum which contains
alkaloids)
44. Quinine − an alkaloid of cinchona bark; white mocrocrystalline powder which is colorless, with bitter taste.
45. Cantharide − an aphrodisiac (provacative of or exciting sexual desire)
46. CO (carbon monoxide) produced by incomplete combustion of carbon
47. Bufo toxin, bufotalin, bufotonin − poisonous substances isolated from skin and poisonous frogs.

Preservation of Specimens for Toxicological Examination

1. blood − place in test tube with sodium oxalate or anticoagulant
2. refrigerated with a solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) − good for 72 hours
3. chemical preservatives − 100 cc. of ethyl alcohol (95%) for each 100 grams of sample and extra 250 cc. for
analysis.
4. Don’t use denatured alcohol, rubbing alcohol, or similar preparation since the denatured will give false and
misleading result in the analysis.
5. Formalin − extremely undesirable as preservative of specimen for toxicological examination, since it will
seriously interfere with the test for most poisons.

Laboratory Methods in Chemical – Toxicological Analysis

1. Physical test − this test includes differentiation by determining physical characteristics like melting point,
boiling point.
2. Crystalline test − involves the treatment of a suspected sample with chemical that causes the crystals of the
questioned substance to precipitate. The crystals formed then examined for color change, shape and location
under the polarizing microscope.
3. Chemical test − involves the treatment of the suspected sample with a chemical reagent and reaction such
as color change, is noted.
4. Spectrophotometric test − the spectrophotometric reveals the ultraviolet and inferred color pectra peculiar to
certain organic substances like barbiturates, strychnine, morphine and codeine.
5. Chromatographic test − chromatographic is the method by which the components of a compound are
separated from one another by passage through a supporting medium. Chromatographic is used to identify
complex organic materials like soil, drug, biological specimens.

Other Notes:
Drug − is a substance that has an effect upon the body mind
Drug dependence − is a state of psychological or physical dependence or both which result from chronic, periodic
or continuous use.
Habituation − is the psychological desire to repeat the use of drug intermittently or continuously because of
emotional reasons.
Addiction − physical dependence upon a drug. Its scientific definition includes the development of tolerance with
withdrawal.

R.A. 9162− The Dangerous Drug Act of 1972 as amended. Dangerous drug − refer to either prohibited drug or
regulated drug.

Acts Punishable Under R.A. 9162

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 Under Sec. 4, Article II − Sale, administration, delivery, distribution and transportation of prohibited drugs
(pushers). The penalty of life imprisonment to death and fine of P20,000 to P30,000.

Under Sec. 8, Article II − Illegal sale, possession/use of prohibited drugs (except marijuana) users. The
penalty of 12 years imprisonment and fine of P2012,000 to P20,000.
Under section 15, Article III − Illegal sale, administration, dispensation, delivery, transportation and
distribution of regulated drugs. The penalty of life imprisonment to death and fine P20,000 to P30,000.
Under Sec. 16, Article II − Possession/use (without prescription) of regulated drugs. The penalty of six
years and I to 2 years imprisonment and fine P6,000 to P12,000 (user).
Under Sec. 27, Article III − Possession or use of any prohibited and drugs including marijuana during
party/social gathering/group of 5 person or more. The penalties are (pot session):

Prohibited drugs − 20 years imprisonment and fine of P20,000

Regulated drugs − 12 years imprisonment and fine of P12,000
Marijuana − 12 years imprisonment and fine of P12,000

Methamphetamine hydrochloride (SHABU) − a white crystalline powder. Has melting points of 172 to
174OC. has bitter taste, soluble in H 2O; soluble in alcohol, chloroform. Practically insoluble in ether. A 1% aqueous
solution is neutral or slightly acid to litmus paper. It is central hervous system stimulant.

Marijuana.

Marijuana plant − grows from 3 feet tall. Has 4 inches to 20 inches interval of nodes where branches arise. Leaf
rows up to 6 inches long and 1½ inches wide. Above each leaf grows a branch which produces its own leaves and
flowering tops.

Marijuana leaves − has palmate structure. Leaflet has serrated edges. Upper layer has short hair called cystolith
hair swollen at the base with calcium carbonate and it it shiny due to resin. Under surface has long slender hair
without CaCO3.

Marijuana seeds −
1. like coconut without husk
2. has whitish vein or surface
3. avoid in shape
4. greenish yellow to light brown
5. inside contains white substance resembling coconut meat

Prepared by:

Prof. FLORAMANTE R. GARCIA

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