Puget Sound Educational Service District
Before we begin..thank you! Agenda-Introductions and Reflection Marijuana Prevention Closing and Reflection
Why Are We Here? Let s Hear From You. Name. School/Work/Community There is a Lot to Continue to Learn after the Passage of I-502 Marijuana Legalization in Washington State
Who Are We? The Puget Sound Educational Service District is striving to become an antiracist multicultural organization. The ESD is one of nine regional educational agencies serving school districts and state-approved private schools in Washington. The ESD is an essential regional delivery system for early learning and K-12 services in the state.
The Puget Sound Educational Service District has a service area that includes 35 school districts and more than 200 private schools in King and Pierce Counties and Bainbridge Island. About 39 percent of the state s K-12 public school students, more than 390,000, are served in the area s school districts, which range from large to small, urban to rural.
Learning Objectives and Goals By the End of this Session, you will be able to: Separate Myths from Facts Understand the Impact of the Law Legalizing Marijuana
Myth: There is only one kind of marijuana Fact: Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp, or cannabis plant. It goes by many names pot, weed, grass and stronger forms include sinsemilla (sin-seh-meyah), hashish ( hash for short), and hash oil. (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2016)
Myth: Persons Age 18 can Legally Purchase, Possess and Use Marijuana Fact: Persons Age 21 and Over Can Legally Purchase, Possess and Use Marijuana
Myth: Marijuana Can Only Be Smoked Fact: Marijuana Can Be Smoked, Vaporized, Eaten in Edibles, Applied as Topicals Directly to the Skin, Used as Tinctures, a Concentrated Form of Marijuana in an Alcohol Solution That Can be Dropped Under the Tongue
Myth: Marijuana does not effect some people. Fact: All forms of marijuana are mind-altering (psychoactive) chemicals that change how the brain works. Marijuana contains over 450 chemicals, including THC (delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol), the main active ingredient. The THC content of marijuana has been increasing (over 3 times) since the 1980s.
Myth: Marijuana does not stay in the body very long Fact: The THC in marijuana is rapidly absorbed by the fatty tissues in the body. Urine tests can detect traces (metabolites) of THC several days after use. In regular users, THC can sometimes be detected for weeks after use stops. Body weight and high fatty foods can change THC levels.
I used to smoke pot until I had an anxiety attack and thought I couldn t breathe.i was wheezing, and I got really paranoid. There are a million things to do that are more fun than smoking some unknown grass. Go to the beach, go to the movies, go to the gym---you are not missing anything. ----Comments submitted to blog for teens
Myth: Marijuana does not affect the brain Fact: THC, the active ingredient in marijuana does affect the nerve cells of the brain that control movement and motivation, attention, coordination, learning and memory, judgment and pleasure. Another ingredient is CBD which affects some medical conditions.
Myth: Marijuana does not affect the heart Fact: The THC in marijuana affects blood pressure and reduces oxygen in the blood. Marijuana use increases a normal heartbeat of 70 to 80 beats per minute to 90 beats or higher per minute.
Myth: Marijuana does not affect the body Fact: The THC in marijuana affects the entire body, including the immune system, making it harder to fight off illnesses and diseases. The THC in marijuana rapidly moves into the bloodstream which spreads it throughout the body and brain. (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2016)
Myth: Marijuana does not affect the lungs Fact: The THC in marijuana increases the risk of respiratory illnesses and lung infections. Heavy users have a increased risk of cancers in the lungs, head and neck. Marijuana has nearly 70 percent more cancer-causing agents than tobacco. (NIDA, 2016).
Myth: Marijuana does not affect school performance Fact: Marijuana has been related to problems with learning, memory, depression and anxiety. Statewide, 12 th graders who use marijuana are more likely to report lower grades (C s, D s, or F s) compared to those who don t use marijuana (Healthy Youth Survey, 2014).
Myth: Marijuana does not affect school performance Fact: Marijuana is linked to school performance and has a negative impact on attention, memory and motivation, especially for regular users
Background: Marijuana is addictive. Most teens who enter drug treatment programs report marijuana is the main drug they use. When teens use marijuana, anxiety and depression can get worse. Teens who use marijuana can have problems with learning and memory and are more likely to fail in school. For More Information: Parents, schools, and communities can work together to keep youth healthy and safe. For prevention tips and to connect with a prevention coalition in your area, visit www.starttalkingnow.org. For free printed guides on preventing alcohol and other drug use, visit the ADAI Clearinghouse adaiclearinghouse.org or call (206) 221-8325. For 24 hour help for mental health, substance use and problem gambling, call 1-866-789-1511 or visit www.warecoveryhelpline.org. State 1% ±0 7% ±1 18% ±2 27% ±2 Marijuana Use and Perception of Harm Trends Grade 12 Current (past 30-day) marijuana use No/low risk from trying 1-2 times No/low risk from regular use Attitudes about Marijuana Use trying 1-2 reg. use** wrong wrong times Prevalence 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 Current (past 30- day) marijuana use 19% ±2 22% ±2 23% ±2 26% ±2 27% ±1 27% ±2 Current (past 30-day) Marijuana Use Statewide, All Grades, 2014 No/low risk from trying 1-2 times 61% ±3 60% ±3 60% ±3 70% ±3* 68% ±3 72% ±2* 20% ±2 21% ±2 29% 37% ±3 45% No/low risk from regular use** ±2* 35% ±2* ±3* **"Smoked" marijuana regularly was changed to "Use" regularly in 2014. This may mark a break in the trend. Statewide Relationship between Lower Grades and Current (past 30-day) Marijuana Use Grade 12, 2014 Prevalence 6th 8th 10th 12th
Past 30- day use No/Low Risk from 1-2 times No/Low Risk regular use 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 19% 22% 23% 26% 27% 27% 61% 60% 60% 70% 68% 72% 20% 21% 29% 35% 37% 45%
Myth: Marijuana use does not affect mental health Fact: Regular use of marijuana can cause mental pain, panic, psychotic reactions (disturbed perceptions and thoughts, and paranoia (abnormal fears) while under the influence.
Myth: Marijuana does not affect mental health Fact: Mental issues usually goes away as the effects wear off. Research is not clear if regular marijuana use causes lasting mental problems. Regular use can worsen the symptoms in people who are already dealing with mental pain, panic, psychotic reactions and paranoia.
Myth: Anyone of any age may use medical marijuana Fact: Persons of any age may be approved to use medical marijuana, but those under age 18 must have permission from a parent or guardian. Washington State passed a medical marijuana law in 1999 for those with a recognized medical condition.
Myth: It is legal to smoke marijuana and drive Fact: It is not legal to use marijuana and drive and the laws continue to change on smoking marijuana and driving (Washington Traffic Safety Commission, 2016).
Myth: It is safe to smoke marijuana and drive Fact: Marijuana is the most common illegal drug (not counting alcohol) involved in automobile accidents involving death of the driver. It is found in the blood of around 14 percent of drivers who die in accidents, often in combination with alcohol or other drugs. (Washington State Patrol, 2016).
Myth: Marijuana does not affect driving skills Fact: Marijuana affects a number of skills needed for safe driving alertness, focus, coordination, decision-making, judgment of time and distance, attention to signals and sounds, and reaction time.
Myth: Since marijuana is legal for age 21 and older, it must be safe to use Fact: THC, the active ingredient in marijuana can cause delays in psychological, social, emotional and academic development in children and youth. Women who are pregnant and smoke marijuana may find developmental delays in newborn children. (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2016)
Myth: Marijuana is not addictive Fact: Marijuana addiction (a dependency on the substance) depends on family history (genes), age of first use, other drug use, family and friend relationships, success in school and many other factors. (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2016)
Myth: Marijuana is not addictive Fact: Research shows that about 9 percent, or about 1 in 11, of those who use marijuana will become addicted. This rate increases to 17 percent, or about 1 in 6, if smoking starts in the teen years and goes up to 25-50 percent among daily users. (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2016).
Myth: Marijuana does not lead to other drug use behavior Fact: Studies have shown that very few high school students use other illegal drugs without first trying marijuana. The majority of people who use marijuana do not go on to use harder drugs. (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2016).
Myth: Marijuana does not lead to other drug use behavior Fact: Some marijuana users do not go on to other drugs and others do because of: Exposure to marijuana may make other drugs desirable Encouragement to try other drugs. Easy to get.
Myth: Marijuana does not produce withdrawal symptoms Fact: Marijuana does produce withdrawal symptoms for some people, similar to quitting cigarettes irritability, sleeping difficulties, anxiety, and craving peaking a few days after regular use has stopped. Withdrawal can make it hard to quit smoking marijuana.
Myth: Vaping marijuana is healthier (Ecigarette products) Fact: Long-term health effects are unknown because use is new. Making cannabinoid liquid is not an easy process. Marijuana vapes use a high temperature leading to concerns about combustion.
For more detailed information about marijuana and vaping: E-Cigarettes: Finding Truth Among the Vapors. Whitney Pennington, MPH. Education and Communications Specialist. Washington Poison Center.
What if someone wants to quit using marijuana? Treatment is available and includes individual, group and family counseling along with drug testing and sober support activities.
Myth: Using marijuana will not hurt my career plans including education and work. Fact: Many local employers such as Macy s, Best Buy and Office Depot have pre-employment drug testing. Fact: All federal government employees and commercial drivers are subject to drug testing.
Cannabis Use Among Drivers Suspected of Driving Under the Influence or Involved in Collisions: Analysis of Washington State Patrol Data. May 2016. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Washington, DC.
Analysis of Washington State Patrol Data (AAA study). Trends in THC-Involved Driving. Between 2005 and 2014, the proportion of Washington State DUI and collision cases tested by toxicology, excluding those positive for alcohol, that involved THC increased significantly, from 20 percent to 30 percent.
Questions or Comments? Puget Sound Educational Service District William James, Student Assistance Specialist bjames@psesd.org (206) 375-1323