The Clarity Campaign Providing clarity and honesty to youth about marijuana use and to support positive messages of non-use, because with clear eyes, comes a clear mind.

What is the Clarity Campaign? Factual information - No scare tactics, no chastising Promoting research-based protective factors Empower youth to take control of their physical and emotional health early Enhancing protective factors in our families, schools, and communities.

Marijuana, the truth!

What is Marijuana? Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp, or cannabis, plant 1 It goes by many different names—pot, herb, weed, grass—and stronger forms include sinsemilla hashish, and hash oil 1 All forms of marijuana are mind-altering (psychoactive), they change how the brain works 1 Marijuana contains more than 400 chemicals, including THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) 1

What is Marijuana?

What about Marijuana edibles? Photo Source: Jessica Smith

How many names for Marijuana can you think of? Weed Pot Cannabis Ganja Chronic Grass Dope Mary Jane Doobie Bud Herb Fatty Hemp Reefer Any others?...

Where do we see Marijuana?

Myth, or Fact? Marijuana is not addictive. MYTH! Repeated marijuana use can lead to addiction—which means that people have difficulty controlling their drug use and often cannot stop even though they want to, and even though it undermines many aspects of their lives. 1

Myth, or Fact? It is not safe to drive while under the influence of marijuana. FACT! Marijuana affects a number of skills required for safe driving—alertness, concentration, coordination, and reaction time—so it's not safe to drive high or to ride with someone who's been smoking. 1

Myth, or Fact? Marijuana use, occasional or habitual, will have an effect on my school work. FACT! Compared with their peers who don't smoke, students who smoke marijuana tend to get lower grades and are more likely to drop out of high school. Longtime marijuana users report being less satisfied with their lives, experiencing memory and relationship problems, poorer mental and physical health, lower salaries, and less career success. 1

Marijuana IQ Study Persistent marijuana use linked to a severe drop in IQ 4 “Regular marijuana use in adolescence is known to be a part of a cluster of behaviors that can produce enduring detrimental effects and alter the trajectory of a young person’s life – thwarting his or her potential. Beyond potentially lowering IQ, teen marijuana use is linked to school dropout, other drug use, mental health problems, etc.” - Dr. Nora Volkow, NIDA Director

Myth, or Fact? Marijuana can help me relax from the stresses of school, work, and life. MYTH! High doses of marijuana can cause psychosis or panic when you're high. Some people experience an acute psychotic reaction (disturbed perceptions and thoughts, paranoia) or panic attacks while under the influence of marijuana. 1

Myth, or Fact? If a person uses marijuana once and stops, it will be out of their system in a few days, or weeks. MYTH! Depending on the amount and potency of the Marijuana, it can stay in your system and be detected for weeks, sometimes months. The THC in marijuana is rapidly absorbed by fatty tissues in various organs throughout the body. The more fatty tissue you may have, the longer marijuana can stay in your system. 2

Myth, or Fact? There are numerous withdrawal symptoms from marijuana use. FACT! The symptoms are similar in type and severity to those of nicotine withdrawal—irritability, sleeping difficulties, anxiety, and craving. Withdrawal symptoms can make it hard for someone to stay off marijuana. 1

Myth, or Fact? Marijuana can enhance athletic performance. MYTH! Marijuana affects timing, movement, and coordination, which can throw off athletic performance. Also, many schools can test athletes for drug use, including marijuana.

Myth, or Fact? Since marijuana is used as a medicine, it can’t be that bad for me. MYTH! Several states have passed medical marijuana laws, but marijuana has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat any diseases. It still carries all of the negative consequences and risks that non-medical marijuana has. 1

Is Marijuana Medicine? Marijuana has not been approved by the FDA for two reasons 5 : 1.Benefits vs. Health Risks 2.Lack of consistency Benefits of THC Marinol Delivery of THC ©

Arizona Youth Survey The Arizona Youth Survey (AYS) is a tool used by the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission to provide current information regarding AZ’s youth frequency/involvement in alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs use 3 Takes place every 2 years 3 In 2012, over 62,000 students (8 th, 10 th, and 12 th grade) participated in the survey 3

Arizona Youth Survey

Youth Perception of Harm

Perception of Approval 58.0% of Arizona youth think their parents would not feel that it would be wrong, for youth to have smoked marijuana at least once in the past 30 days. 34.3% of Arizona youth feel that they would be seen as cool if they had smoked marijuana at least once in the past 30 days.

Availability of Marijuana

Sources uana-facts-teens 1 acts/marijuana 2 rts/2012/AYS%202012%20Report%20Final%20 12%2031% pdf 3 uana-iq-study-successfully-defended- scientists 4 Office of National Drug Control Policy 5

Thank you for your attention! Questions? Check out the Clarity Campaign website for more updates soon!