Marijuana refers to the dried leaves and flowers from the Cannabis Sativa plant, which contains the psychoactive chemical THC. It is most commonly smoked in joints or pipes, but can also be consumed in food or tea. Short term effects include altered perception and increased appetite, while long term use may negatively impact memory, learning, and lung health. Although it is addictive for some long term or teenage users, many argue that its medical uses for reducing pain and nausea from conditions like cancer outweigh potential negative side effects. Currently, 23 states have legalized medical marijuana, while 4 have legalized both medical and recreational adult use.
2. What is
Marijuana?
Marijuana refers to the
dried leaves, flowers,
stems, and seeds from the
hemp plant Cannabis
Sativa, which contains the
psychoactive chemical
THC.
This plant can also be
concentrated in resin
called hashish or a sticky
black liquid called hash
oil.
3. How is Marijuana Used?
-hand rolled cigarettes (joints)
-pipes or water pipes (bongs)
-Cigars that are emptied of tobacco and refilled with a
mixture of marijuana and tabacco.
-Can be mixed into food or brewed as tea.
4. Reasons it is used
Marijuana as a medicine
For the effect of THC
To relieve stress, anxiety, fear, pain or anger related to
personal, psychological or family issues.
Popular culture endorses marijuana use
Low perception of harm
The opportunity to try marijuana presents itself
Peer, family or role model influence
People use marijuana because they were born with or
develop certain personality dimensions, such as
unconventionality, which make marijuana use non-
taboo.
Curiosity
To Relax
5. Short-Term Effects
Small doses:
Poor memory and ability to
learn
Short attention span
Food Cravings
Red glossy eyes
Altered sense of time and
space
Large Doses:
Poor memory
Anxiety attacks or feelings
of paranoia
Depression
Delusions
Hallucinations
Lethargic
6. Long-Term Effects
Breathing Problems (coughing and wheezing)
Surpresses immune system
Memory, learning, and energy are impaired
Reproductive hormones are decreased
Bronchitis, emphysema, bronchial asthma, soar
throats, choughs, cronic obstructive pulmonary
disease
7. Marijuana and
the Brain
When smoked, THC
rapidly passes from the
lungs into the
bloodstream, which
carries the chemical to
the brain and other
organs throughout the
body.
Marijuana over
activates the
endocannabinoid
system causing the
“high”
8. A Study in
New Zealand
Showed
People who began
smoking marijuana
heavily in their teens
lost an average of 8
points in IQ between
age 13 and age 38.
Though, when used as
an adult, there seems
to be no decrease in
IQ
9. Is Marijuana Addictive?
Yes.
Short-Term Users
9% of users become
addicted
(This number increases among
those who start young)
Long-Term Users
Users trying to quit report:
Irritability
Sleeplessness
Decreased appetite
Anxiety
Drug craving
10. Is Marijuana Medicine?
Many have called for the legalization of marijuana to
treat conditions including pain & nausea caused by
HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other conditions.
The Marijuana plant contains hundreds of chemical
compounds that may have different effects that vary
from plant to plant, so it is not considered a legitimate
medicine by the FDA.
11. .
Even though marijuana has a various
side effects, do you think helping ease
chronic diseases outweighs its
negative effects?
12. Marijuana legality in States
2015
Medicinal
23 States and DC have
enacted laws to legalize
medical marijuana
Massachusetts being one of
them
Recreational
4 State have legalized
marijuana use for medical
and recreational purposes
Colorado, Washington,
Oregon, and Alaska.
14. The FACTS!
Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug
in the U.S.
Combining marijuana with drinking even a small
amount of alcohol greatly increases driving danger,
more than either drug alone.
The World Health Organization ranks the U.S. first
among 17 European and North American countries
for prevalence of marijuana use.
15. Getting Help
Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator at 1-
800-622-HELP
www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov
16. “When I was a kid I inhaled
frequently. That was the point.”
-Barack Obama
