Greg Gutkin Eric Neustadt Tommy Parr Marijuana Greg Gutkin Eric Neustadt Tommy Parr

What is marijuana? Marijuana, or cannabis, is a plant found all over the world

How is marijuana used? In order to use marijuana, people will dry out the leaves and then roll them into a joint and them smoke the drug. Marijuana can also be consumed, people who consume marijuana will usually bake it into something like brownies, instead of just eating the raw leaves THC, which is derived from Marijuana can be made into pills, however ritualistic marijuana users always smoke the drug

How is marijuana used? Cont. Special brownies Marijuana joint

Guiding Question What are the psychological effects of marijuana and how can these effects be harmful to students who go to the International Academy?

The Myth of Marijuana Most people believe Marijuana is the least harmful drug to use This contributes to the idea that Marijuana is not harmful at all This is true to a certain extent, however Marijuana does have its own harmful effects that are constantly overlooked

What are the desired effects of marijuana? Marijuana is a psychoactive or brain altering drug People use marijuana to feel relaxed and euphoric The reason for this feeling is because of the drug THC or tetra-hydrochloric acid

What are the undesirable short term effects of marijuana? Problems with memory and learning Distorted Perception Loss of motor coordination Increased heart rate It has been found that people who do marijuana have a very high chance for getting in car accidents while high

What are the undesirable long term effects? Increased chance of psychosis Suicidal thoughts and attempts later in life Depression Reduced neurotoxin levels in the brain Impaired brain development Long term damage to parts of the brain that control memory, attention and learning Increased chance of taking more serious drugs such as heroin, cocaine, etc. Lack of ambition (Amotivational Syndrome)

How this is harmful to IA Students The IA is an academically intense school focused on learning Even though marijuana relieves stress it also affects memory and learning making school harder This can lead to a problematic cycle (Long term damage to memory, learning and attention)

Marijuana Users Regrets Interference with thinking (43%) Less Energy (40%) Involvement with bad influences (33%) Less interest in other activities (30%) Regretted Behaviors (25%) Damaged relationships with parents and friends

Why do people, especially students use marijuana? There are many reasons for using Marijuana Entertainment (Less Energy, Less Interest) Fitting in with friends and other social groups (Involvement with bad influences ) To get away from the stresses of normal life (Damaged relationships) Peer Pressure

Prevention Reasons for quitting: Concerns people give about marijuana are physical and psychological effects They quit because they do not feel like getting high, fear of dependency, and parental disapproval

Prevention continued The best way to prevent use is by getting information to those who are most likely to use the drug The main deterrent to use is fear of consequences Morning Announcements

Works Cited Reduced serum concentrations of nerve growth factor, but not brain-derived neurotrophic factor, in chronic cannabis abusers.(Report)." European Neuropsychopharmacology 18.12 (Dec 2008): 882(6). Health Reference Center Academic. Gale. INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL. 1 Dec. 2008  <http://find.galegroup.com/itx/start.do?prodId=HRCA>. Pedersen, W. "Does cannabis use lead to depression and suicidal behaviours? A population-based longitudinal study.(Clinical report)." Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 118.5 (Nov 2008): 395(9). Health Reference Center Academic. Gale. INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL. 1 Dec. 2008  Terry-McElrath, Yvonne M., Patrick M. O'Malley, and Lloyd D. Johnston. "Saying no to marijuana: why American youth report quitting or abstaining.(Report)." Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 69.6 (Nov 2008): 796(10). Health Reference Center Academic. Gale. INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL. 1 Dec. 2008 <http://find.galegroup.com/itx/start.do?prodId=HRCA>. http://www.nida.nih.gov/index.html