MarijuanaBy: Nicole Evanski

What is Marijuana?Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers,

stems, and seeds from the hemp plant Cannabis

Sativa, which contains the psychoactive chemical

THC.

This plant can also be concentrated in resin

called hashish or a sticky black liquid called hash

oil.

How is Marijuana Used?

-hand rolled cigarettes (joints)

-pipes or water pipes (bongs)

-Cigars that are emptied of tobacco and refilled with a mixture of marijuana and tabacco.

-Can be mixed into food or brewed as tea.

Reasons it is used

Marijuana as a medicine

For the effect of THC

To relieve stress, anxiety, fear, pain or anger related to personal, psychological or family issues.

Popular culture endorses marijuana use

Low perception of harm

The opportunity to try marijuana presents itself

Peer, family or role model influence

People use marijuana because they were born with or develop certain personality dimensions, such as unconventionality, which make marijuana use non-taboo.

Curiosity

To Relax

Short-Term Effects

Small doses:

Poor memory and ability to learn

Short attention span

Food Cravings

Red glossy eyes

Altered sense of time and space

Large Doses:

Poor memory

Anxiety attacks or feelings of paranoia

Depression

Delusions

Hallucinations

Lethargic

Long-Term Effects

Breathing Problems (coughing and wheezing)

Surpresses immune system

Memory, learning, and energy are impaired

Reproductive hormones are decreased

Bronchitis, emphysema, bronchial asthma, soar throats, choughs, cronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Marijuana and the Brain

When smoked, THC rapidly passes from the

lungs into the bloodstream, which

carries the chemical to the brain and other

organs throughout the body.

Marijuana over activates the

endocannabinoidsystem causing the

“high”

A Study in New Zealand

ShowedPeople who began smoking marijuana

heavily in their teens lost an average of 8

points in IQ between age 13 and age 38.

Though, when used as an adult, there seems to be no decrease in

IQ

Is Marijuana Addictive? Yes.

Short-Term Users

9% of users become addicted

(This number increases among those who start young)

Long-Term Users

Users trying to quit report:

Irritability

Sleeplessness

Decreased appetite

Anxiety

Drug craving

Is Marijuana Medicine?

Many have called for the legalization of marijuana to treat conditions including pain & nausea caused by HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other conditions.

The Marijuana plant contains hundreds of chemical compounds that may have different effects that vary from plant to plant, so it is not considered a legitimate medicine by the FDA.

.

Even though marijuana has a various side effects, do you think helping ease

chronic diseases outweighs its negative effects?

Marijuana legality in States 2015

Medicinal

23 States and DC have enacted laws to legalize medical marijuana

Massachusetts being one of them

Recreational

4 State have legalized marijuana use for medical and recreational purposes

Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska.

Prev

alent in

Sch

oo

ls

.

The FACTS!

Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in the U.S.

Combining marijuana with drinking even a small amount of alcohol greatly increases driving danger, more than either drug alone.

The World Health Organization ranks the U.S. first among 17 European and North American countries for prevalence of marijuana use.

Getting Help

Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator at 1-800-622-HELP

www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov

“When I was a kid I inhaled frequently. That was the point.”

-Barack Obama

Works Cited

http://drug.addictionblog.org/why-people-use-marijuana-top-10-reasons/

http://www2.courtinfo.ca.gov/stopteendui/teens/resources/substances/marijuana/short-and-long-term-effects.cfm

http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana

http://www.samhsa.gov/atod/cannabis