Marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug in the United States. It tends to be the first drug that teens use.

• The term "marijuana" refers to the leaves and flowering tops of the cannabis plant.
  
• Marijuana is a tobacco-like substance that is produced by drying the leaves and flowering tops.
  
• Depending on the plant that is used and the particular plant materials, marijuana can vary significantly in its potency or strength.
  
• THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is believed to be the chemical responsible for most of the mind altering effects resulting from the use of marijuana.

• Sobering Statistics
• How is it used?
• Variations of the Drug
• What are the effects?
• What are the dangers?
• How can marijuana ruin your social life?
• What is medical marijuana?

Sobering Statistics

• Smoking three joints a week causes the same health problems as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day...and it's much more expensive!
  
• More than 20% of 8th-graders, 40% of 10th-graders, and 49% of 12th-graders have used marijuana at least once.

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How is it used?

Marijuana can be smoked in the form of:

• Joints (loose marijuana rolled into cigarette "joints").


• Blunts (loose marijuana packed in hollowed-out commercial cigars).
  
• Pipes and Bongs (marijuana is packed into the bowls of pipes and bongs).

Marijuana can also be eaten when baked into certain foods such as brownies (beware of brownies offered to you at concerts and parties).

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Variations of the Drug

Sinsemilla

• Sinsemilla is derived from the un-pollinated female cannabis plant.
  
• It has a high concentration of THC.

Hashish

• Hashish is the resinous material of the cannabis plant.
  
• It has a high concentration of THC.

Wetsticks

• Wetsticks are marijuana or tobacco cigarettes soaked in embalming fluid or laced with PCP.

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What are the effects?

Physical effects include:

• Bloodshot eyes.
  
• Dry mouth and throat.
  
• Increased heart rate.

Behavioral effects include:

• Impaired concentration and coordination.
  
• Decreased motivation.
  
• Impaired short-term memory.
  
• Decreased inhibition.
  
• Increased hunger ("munchies").

Psychological effects include:

• Mild euphoria (feelings of well-being).
  
• Hallucinations (seeing something that is nonexistent).
  
• Paranoia (mental insanity).
  
• Fantasies.
  
• Perceptions that appear to be clearer and more intense.

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What are the dangers?

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, marijuana contains known toxins and cancer-causing chemicals that are stored in the fat cells of users for up to several months.

Users experience the same health problems and risks as tobacco smokers:

• Bronchitis.
  
• Emphysema.
  
• Bronchial asthma.
  
• Lung cancer.
  
• Dependency/addiction.

In addition, marijuana users are at risk for:

• Inactive sperm in men.
  
• Decreased testosterone and sex drive in men.
  
• Infertility in women.
  
• Suppression of the immune system (meaning your body is less capable to protect itself against invading viruses and disease).
  
• Among other risks, marijuana is known as a "gateway drug," such that the use of marijuana often leads to the use of other extremely harmful illegal drugs.

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How can marijuana ruin your social life?

In all fifty states, it is illegal to have, use, grow or sell marijuana. If you get caught with marijuana, your social life will suffer because you could:

• Lose your driver's license.
  
• Spend time in court or jail.
  
• Pay huge fines.
  
• Be suspended from school.
  
• Be expelled from school.
  
• Be grounded and lose your privileges at home.

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What is medical marijuana?

If marijuana is illegal, what's the hype about legalizing it for medical reasons?

Although marijuana is illegal, some states have made the decision to legalize it for people suffering from severe and life-threatening health problems. In these instances, it is used to relieve nausea for late-stage AIDS and cancer patients and to decrease pressure in the eye for those who have severe glaucoma.

With this in mind, it is important to know that marijuana is only used to decrease discomfort; it is not a curative agent and provides no other health benefits.
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