Marijuana Gateway drug?? What does that mean? www.assignmentpoint.com
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 www.assignmentpoint.com
Percent of Students Reporting Marijuana Use, 2005–2006 42.3 44.8 31.8 34.1 15.7 16.5 Lifetime 31.5 33.6 25.2 26.6 11.7 12.2 Past year 18.3 19.8 14.2 15.2 6.5 6.6 Past month 2006 2005 12th Grade 10th Grade 8th Grade All stats are decreasing. www.assignmentpoint.com
A mind-altering (psychoactive) drug 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. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol cultivated marijuana contains 10x more THC than wild marijuana www.assignmentpoint.com
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 1960’s THC level = 1-2% Today THC level = 21% It is stronger and more damaging!!! www.assignmentpoint.com
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 www.assignmentpoint.com
Many of the same respiratory problems that tobacco smokers have 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 such as daily cough and phlegm production, more frequent acute chest illnesses, a heightened risk of lung infections, and a greater tendency toward obstructed airways. www.assignmentpoint.com
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 www.assignmentpoint.com
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) www.assignmentpoint.com
Physical Consequences Teens especially-reproductive organs Males-sperm production and testosterone levels lower Females- raises testosterone levels www.assignmentpoint.com
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. www.assignmentpoint.com