MARIJUANA
Percent of Students Reporting
Marijuana Use, 2005–2006
8th Grade 10th Grade 12th Grade
2005 2006 2005 2006 2005 2006
Past 6.6 6.5 15.2 14.2 19.8 18.3
month
Past 12.2 11.7 26.6 25.2 33.6 31.5
year
Lifetime 16.5 15.7 34.1 31.8 44.8 42.3
• A green, brown, or gray
mixture of dried, shredded
leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers
of the hemp plant
• A mind-altering (psychoactive)
drug
• 1 joint = 20 cigarettes worth of
chemicals.
• There are over 2,000 chemical compounds
in marijuana once it is lit.
• THC is the main active chemical and is
stored in fat cells for long periods of time
(stored up to 30 days)
• THC can also be stored in brain, lungs,
ovaries, and testes.
• THC content is rising
– 1960’s THC level = 1-2%
– Today THC level = 21%
– It is stronger and more damaging!!!
Problems caused by Marijuana
• Impairs Motor • Decreases blood
Control sugar
• Slows reaction time • Anxiety/Panic
• Short-term memory reactions
loss • Lung Problems
• Visual Impairment • Dilated Pupils
• Warps time sense • Red Eyes
• Increases Heart Rate• Weakens immune
system
Long Term Effects
• Many of the same respiratory
problems that tobacco smokers
have
• Cancer of the respiratory tract
and lungs may also be
promoted by marijuana smoke.
• 50 percent to 70 percent more
carcinogenic hydrocarbons than
tobacco smoke
Quick Facts
• Reaction time for motor skills, such as
driving is reduced by 41% after
smoking 1 joint and is reduced 63%
after smoking 2 joints
• average age of first trying marijuana is
14 years old!!!
• The daily use of 1 to 3 marijuana joints
can produce the same lung damage and
potential cancer risk as smoking five
times as many cigarettes
Marijuana and Addiction
• Raises levels of dopamine-produces
a pleasurable feeling. Can be
intense.
• Can wear off dramatically-Crash
• Users get addicted to the dopamine
release (intense pleasurable feeling)
Physical Consequences
• Teens especially-reproductive organs
• Males-sperm production and
testosterone levels lower
• Females- raises testosterone levels
Gateway Drug???
• Marijuana, Tobacco and Alcohol are all
considered Gateway drugs.
• It is an indicator that if any of the three
have been used it is a good possibility that
the user will move on to use more
dangerous and addictive drugs.
• This does NOT mean that every person
will do this.
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