Marijuana Myths & Realities

Who is using marijuana? Marijuana Use8 th 9th12th Past Month 0-5% % % Daily 0-5% % %

Who Is Using marijuana? ◦ 8 th 10 th 12 th ◦ Past Moth 7.2% 17.6% 22.6% ◦ Daily 1.3% 3.6% 6.6%

To Use or Not to Use! Pros Cons

Top 5 Reasons Teenagers begin to Smoke Marijuana? 1. Curiosity 2. Peer group pressure 3. Desire to appear more grown-up 4. Pleasurable effects 5. Coping device

Points to Make More students report that their close friends would disapprove if they smoked marijuana. Marijuana is capable of providing a temporary state of euphoria…but after the effects of the drug wear off…. you may have more problems then when you started! There is nothing magical about marijuana!

Marijuana How do we get Marijuana in our bodies? How quickly does it effect our bodies? How long do the effects last?

Immediate effects of marijuana Increase in heart rate & pulse rate Reddening of the eyes Dryness in the mouth and throat Mild decrease in body temperature Increase in restlessness Change in sensory perception Impairs short term memory

Long term effects of marijuana THC is absorbed in many of your organs Changes structure of brain cells (a- motivational syndrome) Increase heart rate by 50%, results in decrease in blood supply to the heart Inflammation of the lungs Affect white blood cell count Effects to the male & female reproductive systems

Legal Issues Decriminalization Legalization