What is jimsonweed? What are the risks? Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium) is Use of jimsonweed produces effects a flowering annual and a member of including dry mucous membranes, the nightshade family that grows wild difficulty swallowing and speaking, throughout the continental United blurred vision, photophobia (painful States. Jimsonweed is abused for the sensitivity to light), hyperthermia hallucinogenic effects it produces. The (elevated body temperature), confusion, primary psychoactive substances in agitation, combative behavior, and jimsonweed, the alkaloids atropine and © M. Williams hallucinations. Jimsonweed poisoning scopolamine, are legitimately used to How is it used? typically must be treated by pumping treat various medical disorders. How is it used? the user’s stomach and administering Typically, jimsonweed is ingested activated charcoal to absorb the con- What does jimsonweed look like? orally, usually as an herbal tea. The taminants. There is no antidote for seeds, leaves, and flower nectar also jimsonweed poisoning. Individuals who Jimsonweed is a plant that grows to may be eaten or smoked. Effects gener- use jimsonweed put themselves at risk a height of 5 feet and produces white ally occur within 30 to 60 minutes of of seizures, coma, and death. or pale purple trumpet-shaped flow- ingestion. The effects may persist for as ers. The jimsonweed plant has large, many as 24 to 48 hours because the lobed leaves on woody stems. Upon alkaloids present in the drug retard the reaching maturity, the plant releases human body’s digestive process. tiny black seeds from spiny capsules. Who abuses jimsonweed? It is difficult to gauge the extent of jimsonweed use in the United States Other Terms for Jimsonweed because most data sources that quan- tify drug use exclude jimsonweed. There Angel’s trumpet is evidence to suggest that teenagers Devil’s trumpet are the principal abusers of the drug. Jamestown weed Young people are particularly suscepti- Loco weed ble to jimsonweed abuse because, unlike many other illicit drugs, it is Thornapple readily available and costs nothing to © M. Williams obtain. Other products of interest: , Huffing—The Abuse of Inhalants Is jimsonweed illegal? , Prescription Drug Abuse and Youth Although jimsonweed is not , scheduled under the Controlled Drugs,Youth, and the Internet Jimsonweed Substances Act, three states (Connecticut, New Jersey, and Tennessee) have passed legislation Fast Facts to control jimsonweed. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration has asserted that the belladonna alkaloids in jimsonweed are neither safe nor effective in over-the- counter cough and cold inhalants. For more information on illicit drugs check out our web site at: Check outFast Factson: + , www.usdoj.gov/ndic , Crack cocaine , Methadone Crystal Methamphetamine National Drug Intelligence Center methamphetamine , OxyContin 319 Washington Street, 5th Floor , Drug paraphernalia , PCP Johnstown, PA 15901-1622 , DXM , Powdered cocaine Telephone: 814-532-4601 , , FAX: 814-532-4690 , Foxy , Prescription drugs NDIC Washington Liaison Office , Fry , Psilocybin 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 1001 GHB and analogs Ritalin McLean, VA 22102-3840 , Heroin , Rohypnol Telephone: 703-556-8970 , , FAX: 703-556-7807 , Inhalants , Salvia divinorum , Ketamine , Steroids NDIC publications are available on the following web sites: , Khat , Teens and drugs ADNET http://ndicosa QuestionsQuestions , LSD , Triple C LEO home.leo.gov/lesig/ndic , Marijuana Yaba RISS ndic.riss.net MDMA INTERNET www.usdoj.gov/ndic andand Call 814-532-4541 AnswersAnswers to request NDIC products National Drug Intelligence Center a component of the NDIC Product No. 2003-L0559-016 U.S. Department of Justice Cover photo © M. Williams Reproduced with permission from M. Williams, 071803 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.