Marijuana Use and Effects

• Marijuana comes from the Indian hemp plant, with the flowering tops or "buds" having the most drug activity.
• Despite being seen as harmless some times, marijuana is a potent and frequently abused drug.
• Marijuana contains over 400 chemicals, the most active of which is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
• Marijuana is a mix of dried leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers, typically green, brown, or gray.
• The chemical effects of drugs on the body remain the same regardless of their legality.

Methods of Use

• Marijuana can be smoked in joints, blunts, or pipes, including water pipes (bongs).
• Marijuana can be brewed into tea or cooked into edibles.
• Marijuana can be vaporized using devices like vape pens.
• Dabbing uses marijuana concentrates like wax, oil, or shatter, delivering a potent THC dose.

Short-Term Effects

• Short-term effects include a fast heart rate, loss of coordination, dry mouth, and red eyes.
• Marijuana distorts perception, creating a dream-like state, with effects peaking within 30 minutes and lasting several hours.
• Mental effects include anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks, and hallucinations.
• Edibles and concentrates intensify mental effects and can cause dangerous intoxication due to delayed onset.

Long-Term Effects

• Long-term marijuana use can harm the brain, especially if started during adolescence.
• Long term effects may include a decline in IQ, difficulty learning, and changes in brain structures related to emotion and decision-making.
• Physical long-term effects include chronic bronchitis, lung infections, and potential exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.
• Marijuana use may affect fertility in both men and women, leading to reproductive issues and developmental problems in babies.

Driving and Safety Risks

• THC impairs motor skills and reaction time, making driving under the influence dangerous.
• Drivers under the influence of marijuana are more likely to be involved in vehicle accidents.
• Marijuana-related fatal crashes have increased in states where it is legal, raising public safety concerns.

Addiction and Gateway Drug Concerns

• Regular marijuana users, especially those who begin in adolescence, have a greater risk of addiction.
• Marijuana tolerance can lead users to seek stronger substances, making it a gateway drug.
• Social settings where marijuana is used can introduce people to other drugs like cocaine, meth, or heroin.

Legalization and Misconceptions

• Legality does not equate to safety, as seen with alcohol and tobacco.
• "Medical marijuana" is loosely used; the plant itself is not an FDA-approved medicine.
• The components of marijuana like CBD are being studied for medical benefits.
• Lack of standard dosing and quality control in marijuana presents health concerns.

Impact on Society

• Marijuana use can reduce productivity and performance in students and adults.
• Marijuana users may have higher rates of absenteeism, workplace accidents, and injuries.
• Marijuana affects social relationships, increases unemployment risk, and is linked to financial instability.
• Widespread marijuana use increases healthcare costs, lost productivity, and public safety risks.

Peer Pressure and Deceptive Marketing

• Teens may try marijuana due to peer pressure or a desire to fit in.
• Dealers may downplay the risks, promoting marijuana as harmless.
• Former users report isolation, mental health issues, or progression to more dangerous substances due to marijuana use.
• Understanding the facts and resisting peer pressure are key to making informed choices about drug use.