Marijuana Some Facts

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#1 Marijuana is the MOST commonly abused illicit drug in the United States Marijuana is the MOST commonly abused illicit drug in the United States

#2 Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the cannabis plant. Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the cannabis plant.

#3 Marijuana is either rolled into a joint, a blunt, smoked in a bong, or added to tea or food Marijuana is either rolled into a joint, a blunt, smoked in a bong, or added to tea or food

#4 Marijuana alters your perceptions and emotions Marijuana alters your perceptions and emotions It blocks messages going to your brain It blocks messages going to your brain

#5. Delta -9-tetrahydrocannabinal THC is the active ingredient in marijuana THC is the active ingredient in marijuana

#6. contains carcinogens and over 400 chemicals contains carcinogens and over 400 chemicals

#7. Is absorbed in the fatty tissues of organs and can be detected in urine for several days to months afterwards Is absorbed in the fatty tissues of organs and can be detected in urine for several days to months afterwards

#8. Short term effects impairs memory and learning impairs memory and learning distorted perception distorted perception trouble with thinking and problem-solving trouble with thinking and problem-solving loss of motor coordination loss of motor coordination increased heart rate. increased heart rate.

#9. Long term effects Cancer Cancer Reproductive issues Reproductive issues Breathing problems Breathing problems Hurts body’s ability to fight infection Hurts body’s ability to fight infection Memory issues Memory issues

#10 Dangerous to smoke and drive Dangerous to smoke and drive Less alert Less alert Less coordinated Less coordinated Slower reaction time Slower reaction time Hard to judge distances Hard to judge distances

#11 Can cause dependence/addiction Can cause dependence/addiction A daily user will show withdrawal symptoms when the drug is not longer used [irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, and drug craving A daily user will show withdrawal symptoms when the drug is not longer used [irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, and drug craving

#12 About 1 in 7 9 th graders admit to using marijuana in the last month [NAID] About 1 in 7 9 th graders admit to using marijuana in the last month [NAID]