Is the most common illicit drug used in the United States. After a period of decline in the last decade, its use has been increasing among young

Transcription

1 The Facts

2 Cannabis, commonly known as marijuana and by numerous other names, is a preparation of the cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug and now as medicine. Marijuana also refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the hemp plant, cannabis Sativa, which contains the psychoactive (mind-altering) chemical tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

3 Is the most common illicit drug used in the United States. After a period of decline in the last decade, its use has been increasing among young people since 2007.

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5 Weed Dope Grass Ganja Chronic Maryjane Pot Cheeba Sticky icky Reefer Kush

6 Between infancy young adulthood, your brain is developing. When someone smokes marijuana, THC goes from the lungs into the bloodstream. From there, it ends up in the brain and other organs. THC can cause: Difficulty thinking and problem solving Problems with memory and learning Affects your ability to remember things, multitask, and pay attention.

7 Addiction Just to try it (curiosity) Escape their real problems Peer pressure Role model influence The thrill of doing something illegal Low perception of harm

8 The next few slides will look at how the use of marijuana affects a person s: Physical health Mental/emotional health Social health

9 Slower reaction times Tiredness Red eyes Heart rate increases (higher chance of heart attack) Dry mouth Lower blood pressure Nauseous Dizziness Blurry vision Lung irritation (nagging cough)

10 Waste of money Loss of close friends/family members Grades in school drop Loss of scholarships (academic/athletic) Trouble with the law Missing out on jobs you want Affects sports

11 Paranoia Worry more Lack of motivation Distorted sense of time Anxiety Depression Short-term memory loss Accidents

12 THC concentration is much higher now In the 1980s, THC concentration was 4% 2013, THC concentration around 15% Edible marijuana products (cookies, brownies, etc.) can be 10 times stronger than traditional joints. People looking for strains higher in quality so they can get high faster and by smoking less. The part of the plant people are smoking today is more dangerous. People smoked the leaves in the past but now are going after the buds/flowers.

13 Marijuana is often referred to as a Gateway Drug When the effects of marijuana wear off, individuals may try more dangerous drugs to get similar effects.

14 Is legal in 23 states, including the District of Columbia and Guam. Pain is the main reason people ask for the prescription. The pain could be caused from a number of things such as: Headaches Cancer Glaucoma Nerve pain

15 If you live in a state where medical marijuana is legal and your doctor thinks it will help, you ll get a marijuana card. You are then put on a list that allows you to buy marijuana from an AUTHORIZED seller, called a dispensary. Doctors may also prescribe medical marijuana to treat: Muscle spasms caused by multiple sclerosis Nausea from cancer chemotherapy Poor appetite and weight loss caused by chronic illness, such, as HIV Seizure disorders Crohn s disease

16 Your body already makes marijuana-like chemicals that affect pain, inflammation, and many other processes. Marijuana can SOMETIMES help those natural chemicals work better.

17 Medical marijuana may be: Smoked Vaporized (heated until active ingredients are released, but no smoke is formed) Eaten (usually in the form of cookies or candy) Taken as a liquid extract

18 Side effects of marijuana that usually don t last long can include: Dizziness Drowsiness Short-term memory loss Euphoria More serious side effects include severe anxiety and psychosis.

19 Medical marijuana is not monitored like FDAapproved medicines. When using it, you don t know its potential to cause cancer, its purity, potency, or side effects. Only people who have a card from a doctor should use medical marijuana. Doctors will not prescribe medical marijuana to anyone under 18. Others who should not use it: People with heart disease Pregnant women People with a history of psychosis

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