MARIJUANA

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MARIJUANA
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most commonly used illicit drug

• 6.8 of high school students reported using
  marijuana in the past month

Nearly 69 million Americans over the age of 12
have tried marijuana at least once in their
lifetime
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Percent of Students Reporting Marijuana Use,
20052006
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• A green, brown, or gray mixture of dried,
  shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the
  hemp plant
• A mind-altering (psychoactive) drug
• 1 joint 20 cigarettes worth of chemicals.

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• There are over 2,000 chemical compounds in
  marijuana once it is lit.
• THC is the main active chemical and is stored in
  fat cells for long periods of time (stored up to
  30 days)
• THC can also be stored in brain, lungs, ovaries,
  and testes.
• THC content is rising
• 1960s THC level 1-2
• Today THC level 21
• It is stronger and more damaging!!!

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Problems caused by Marijuana

• Decreases blood sugar
• Anxiety/Panic reactions
• Lung Problems
• Dilated Pupils
• Red Eyes
• Weakens immune system

• Impairs Motor Control
• Slows reaction time
• Short-term memory loss
• Visual Impairment
• Warps time sense
• Increases Heart Rate

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Long Term Effects

• Many of the same respiratory problems that
  tobacco smokers have
• Cancer of the respiratory tract and lungs may
  also be promoted by marijuana smoke.
• 50 percent to 70 percent more carcinogenic
  hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke

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Quick Facts

• Reaction time for motor skills, such as driving
  is reduced by 41 after smoking 1 joint and is
  reduced 63 after smoking 2 joints
• average age of first trying marijuana is 14 years
  old!!!
• The daily use of 1 to 3 marijuana joints can
  produce the same lung damage and potential cancer
  risk as smoking five times as many cigarettes

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Marijuana and Addiction

• Raises levels of dopamine-produces a pleasurable
  feeling. Can be intense.
• Can wear off dramatically-Crash
• Users get addicted to the dopamine release
  (intense pleasurable feeling)

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Physical Consequences

• Teens especially-reproductive organs
• Males-sperm production and testosterone levels
  lower
• Females- raises testosterone levels

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Gateway Drug???

• Marijuana, Tobacco and Alcohol are all considered
  Gateway drugs.
• It is an indicator that if any of the three have
  been used it is a good possibility that the user
  will move on to use more dangerous and addictive
  drugs.
• This does NOT mean that every person will do this.

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