Marijuana: What do you know? Where does Marijuana come from? What is the mind-alternating ingredient in it? Is marijuana weaker or stronger compared to 30 years ago? Marijuana used in small amounts are legal?

Marijuana: What do you know? Marijuana can be eaten or smoked? In addition to THC (mind altering drug), there are over 400 other chemicals in it? THC can be detected in your body for weeks? The marijuana sold today is a lot weaker than that sold in the 1960’s? Marijuana used in small amounts are legal? True False

Truth is, marijuana is not just a plant. Marijuana smokers use the dried leaves of the plant called Cannabis sativa. It’s the active chemical ingredient in marijuana, THC, which makes people high. The more THC, the higher the marijuana’s potency.

Q: What is marijuana? The most widely used illegal drug in the US. Q: What is the name of the mind altering ingredient? It is a dry, shredded, mix of flowers, stems, and leaves from plant Cannabis sativa. THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol)

Q: Why do young people use marijuana? See their friends or siblings doing it To fit in or be cool See it on TV or hear about it in songs Escape from problems

Q: What happens when you smoke? It all depends on….. Previous experiences How strong the marijuana is (how much THC it has); User’s exceptions How it is taken Other Drugs in your system -Some people feel nothing at all when they smoke marijuana. -Others may feel relaxed or high. -Sometimes marijuana makes users feel thirsty and very hungry. (Some users can undergo bad effects from marijuana. They may suffer sudden feelings of anxiety and have paranoid thoughts. This is more likely to happen when a more potent variety of marijuana is used.)

Effects of Marijuana (Short term) Increased heart rate Bloodshot eyes Dry mouth and throat May impair short-term memory Altered sense of time Damages lungs and circulatory system Contains carcinogens

Effects of Marijuana – Long Term Cancer- marijuana contains many of the same cancer causing agents that are found in tobacco. Breathing Problems- (coughing and wheezing are common). Damages Immune System Changes in the brain (stress, motivation) Emotional Problems

In 2009, over 39,000 teens aged 12–17 were admitted to emergency rooms for marijuana related causes. And in 2009, 64% of teens aged 12–17 in drug treatment were there for marijuana problems.

One Saturday morning, an Ohio man, intoxicated on marijuana and other drugs, crashed his car into Victoria Rogers’ automobile. She was killed. Her two young daughters suffered head and neck injuries, while her niece suffered severe facial injuries requiring plastic surgery Four small children and the driver died in April 2002 when a Tippy Toes Learning Academy van veered off a bustling freeway and hit a concrete bridge abutment. Investigators said the driver, Wesley Hudson, regularly smoked marijuana. The kids had nicknamed him “Smokey.” He was found with marijuana in his pocket at the crash scene.

Some teens have a pretty casual attitude about marijuana—and believe there’s no penalties for growing and dealing. States and the federal government have strict laws against marijuana. Federal law is tough: grow 1–49 plants and you could spend 5 years in prison. Do it twice, and it’s up to 10. In some states, even possession is a felony. And dealing marijuana near schools or to minors brings extra punishment. You can lose your student loan if you sell or grow marijuana while you are receiving educational assistance from the government

One in six (15%) teens reported driving under the influence of marijuana, a number nearly equivalent to those who reported driving under the influence of alcohol (16%). A recent study from a large shock trauma unit found that 19 percent of automobile crash victims under age 18 tested positive for marijuana. Studies show that accident odds increase significantly when the THC concentration of smoked marijuana is 5% or greater. Combine driving, pot and alcohol and the risk for accidents is even greater.

Q: What effects can marijuana have on you?

Marijuana affects your brain. THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) affects the nerve cells in the part of the brain where memories are formed. Marijuana affects your self-control. Marijuana can seriously affect your sense of time and your coordination, impacting things like driving. In 2002, nearly 120,000 people were admitted to emergency rooms suffering from marijuana-related problems, an increase of more than 139 percent since Marijuana affects your lungs. There are more than 400 known chemicals in marijuana. A single joint contains four times as much cancer-causing tar as a filtered cigarette. Marijuana affects other aspects of your health. Marijuana can limit your body's ability to fight off infection Marijuana is not always what it seems. Marijuana can be laced with other dangerous drugs without your knowledge. "Blunts"--hollowed-out cigars filled with marijuana--sometimes have substances such as crack cocaine, PCP, or embalming fluid added. Know the facts… Marijuana can be addictive. Not everyone who uses marijuana becomes addicted, but some users do develop signs of dependence. In 2010, more than 220,000 people entered drug treatment programs to kick their marijuana habit.

Before you risk it… Know the law. It is illegal to buy or sell marijuana. In most States, holding even small amounts of marijuana can lead to fines or arrest. Get the facts. Smoking any substance--tobacco, marijuana, or crack cocaine--increases your risk of developing pneumonia and other illnesses. Stay informed. It has not yet been proven that using marijuana leads to using other drugs. But very few people use other drugs without first using marijuana. Teens who smoke marijuana are more likely to try other drugs, in part because they have more contact with people who use and sell them. Know the risks. Using marijuana or other drugs increases your risk of injury from car crashes, falls, burns, drowning, and other accidents. Keep your edge. Marijuana affects your judgment, drains your motivation, and can make you feel anxious. Look around you. Most teens aren't smoking marijuana. According to a 2002 study, about four out of five 12- to 17-year- old youths had never even tried marijuana