1. Marijuana: Get the Facts
Lesson 2 - 9

2. Objectives
TSW summarize the harmful short- and long-term physical, psychological, and social effects of marijuana use
TSW counter myths about marijuana
TSW analyze the benefits of remaining marijuana free

3. Health Terms Amotivational syndrome Anxiety Dependent
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)
Withdrawal

4. Intro Transition Marijuana is/is not as dangerous as other drugs.
In your student journal, write which version of this statement you agree with and explain why.
Motivate
Marijuana is a drug that you may hear conflicting opinions about and one that has many myths associated with it. We’ve already started a list of some of these facts, myths and opinions. What are some other things you may have heard about marijuana or some questions you may have about it?
We’ll come back to this list later to decide which of these things are true and which aren’t.

5. Teaching Steps Explain
Today you’re going to be learning more about marijuana so you can separate the myths from the facts.
Read
Get your blue workbook and turn to page 22-23
These are some common myths about marijuana. As you read all the information about marijuana, look for and underline any facts or evidence from the reading that can disprove your assigned myth.

7. Teaching Steps Summarize
Being armed with factual information is important when someone tries to convince you that marijuana is harmless.
Review
Let’s revisit the list you created at the beginning of class and separate the myths from the facts. Based on what you now know about marijuana, which of these are true and which are myths?

8. Teaching Steps
Survey
What percent of high school students do you think use marijuana?
Explain
YRBS – 40.7% US high school students have ever used marijuana, 37.5% Texas high school students have ever used marijuana
Currently use – 23.4% US high school students, 20.5% TX high school students (having used drug at least once in past 30 days)
Ask and Discuss
Why do you think teens choose to experiment with marijuana?
How could perceived norms – what people believe about other people’s behaviors – around marijuana use affected teen’s choices?

9. Teaching Steps Summarize
Many reasons – celebrate, change the way they feel, feel less shy in social situations, escape their problems
May use to fit in as part of a group, pressure from someone, belief that more peers use marijuana

10. Teaching Steps
Survey
What do you think the biggest benefit of being marijuana free is for teens in the short term?
What do you think the biggest benefit of being marijuana free is for teens in the long term?
Summarize
Short-term – protecting your physical health, avoiding social/legal problems
Long-term – clearer mind and better memory, help you in school and work

11. Assessment and Closure
Close
Which fact you learned today most convince you to not use marijuana?