Marijuana Myths and Realities Effects Legal Issues

Vocabulary to understand: Marijuana Dried flower clusters and leaves of the hemp plant named cannabis sativa Psychoactive Mind altering THC The active ingredient in marijuana

More vocabulary to comprehend Euphoria Feeling of great happiness or well-being Illicit Illegal (against the law)

Main reasons teens begin using marijuana Curiosity Peer Pressure Desire to appear more grown up Pleasurable effects Coping device Help them deal with life’s problems

Immediate effects of marijuana CANNABIS : smoked as loosely rolled cigarettes (joints). May be eaten, but is generally smoked Effects are immediate, but intensify, get stronger, and peak at around 30 minutes. Drug related effects may last for up to 3 hours Effects vary from person to person by their experience and expectations.

Immediate Effects of Marijuana on the Body Increase heart and pulse rate Red eyes Dryness in mouth and throat Mild lowering of body temperature

Effects of Low doses of marijuana Tend to induce restlessness with sense of well-being followed by euphoria Change of sensory perception - more vivid sense of sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing Temporarily impairs short term memory Can alter sense of time and reduce ability to perform tasks needing concentration, swift reactions, and coordination

Effects of stronger doses of marijuana Can intensify other reactions Image distortions, loss of personal identity, fantasies, hallucinations Marijuana today is 10 times stronger than it was in 1975!! So it is more dangerous now than it was in 1975.

Long Term Effects of Marijuana Scientific research has proved: THC is the active ingredient in marijuana It is absorbed by many tissues and body organs It stays in the body for as long as one month Monkeys used to test marijuana showed changes in the structure of brain cells when they used marijuana 5 days a week for 6 months It can increase the heart rate by 50%

More long term effects Affects the lungs : unfiltered smoke is held in the lungs as long as possible, thus causing pulmonary problems Heavy use can affect white blood cell formation needed for a healthy immune system Chronic use affects male and female reproductive systems –Males make less testosterone and less sperm –Female fertility is lessened and there are problems with the menstrual cycle

Legal Issues MARYLAND Possession or use of any amount of marijuana is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Cultivation, delivery or sale of less than 50 pounds of marijuana is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000. Possession, use or sale of paraphernalia is a criminal fine of $500 for the first offense. For a second or subsequent offense, the penalties increase to a term of up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000. Within 1000 feet of school or school us felony: years and $10,000/$20,000 fine For any second or subsequent conviction, the sentence may double from that for a first offense. Laws for sale and possession vary from state to state

What precedes marijuana use? Most studies show tobacco use and use of alcohol come before use of marijuana Most marijuana smokers do not go on to use other drugs, but some do. Most young people are introduced to marijuana by their peers. This contributes to early experimentation and regular use.

Marijuana is a gateway drug It starts some people on the road to other, harder, more dangerous drugs. The earlier one starts using marijuana, the more likely the use will be heavy. Early use increases the chances of experimenting with other drugs.

In summary…. Marijuana is a psychoactive drug The most recent surveys show fewer people smoke marijuana than tobacco and most teens and adults are non-users. Marijuana may help someone feel better, but it will not solve or help them cope effectively with their problems. A main reason for marijuana use is peer pressure There are legal, social, and health consequences for using marijuana.

Decriminalization v. Legalization Decriminalization provides clear penalties and suggests marijuana use is against the law. It is designed to establish a more appropriate punishment for small amounts for personal use. Legalization, if it were to become law, provides no penalty for possession of marijuana As research provides more facts, this is becoming less and less likely.