Drug Abuse Education Course Master Sgt. Doug Oswald Assistant Drug Demand Reduction Administrator

The facts about marijuana Cannabis Sativa is the plant known as marijuana, hemp, weed, pot, etc. The most widely used illicit drug in the U.S, about 6% of Americans, 14.6 million, are users. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive ingredient. Made illegal in 1937, it was popularized as a recreational drug in the 60s. Marijuana is psychologically addictive.

Males: 7.5% Females: 6.2% Employed full-time: 6.2% Employed part-time: 8.5% Unemployed: 14.5% High School Drop-out: 6.6% High School Graduate: 6.0% Some College: 7.1% College Graduate: 4.1% Who Uses marijuana? Age 12-17: 6.8% Age 18-25: 16.6% Age 26 & up: 4.1%

13.3% are daily users. 34.8% are using five times a week. 74.2% of illicit drug users are using marijuana. –54.5% use only marijuana. –19.6% use marijuana and another illicit drug. How Many Uses marijuana?

Today’s ‘pot’ is stronger than 60s era marijuana. 60s & 70s era marijuana averaged about 1% THC compared to 6% today. Some THC levels today range from 13% to 33%. The facts about marijuana

The marijuana plant contains 421 chemicals including THC and the same poisons and tars found in tobacco smoke. The drug marijuana is a dead plant and it contains bacteria and fungus molds. It can also contain contaminants like herbicide and be laced with other drugs like LSD & PCP. The facts about marijuana

Marijuana smoke contains 50-70% more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke. Smoking one joint equals 3 to 5 times the carbon monoxide and tar as one cigarette. Smoking five joints per week equals the carcinogens in smoking one pack of cigarettes per day. The facts about marijuana

The effects are felt within minutes of smoking, peak within 20 minutes, and last for two or three hours. THC is stored in fatty tissue like the brain, liver and reproductive organs. 2-3 days after use, 50% of the original dose is still present in those tissues.

The facts about marijuana It effects the parts of the brain involved in attention, learning, memory, motivation and emotions. Users have more suicidal thoughts and are more likely to report symptoms of depression than those who never used. Marijuana intoxication impairs driving and contributes to poor performance in school.

Medical Marijuana No medically prescribed drug is smoked because of the adverse health effects associated with smoking. Marinol, a synthetic form of THC, is legally used to treat the nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. Safer and more effective medications already exist to treat pain, nausea and anorexia.

Mixed Messages

Marijuana Effects Short Term: –Lack of coordination –Loss of balance –Disorientation –Increased heart rate –Reddening of eyes –Dilated pupils –Droopy Eyelids –Slurred speech –Hypotension –Drowsiness –Hallucinations –Hunger “munchies” –Dry mouth Long Term: –Damages the pituitary gland –Damages the respiratory system –Weakens the immune system –Destroys brain cells –Destroys serotonin –Birth defects –Psychological and emotional problems: retarded social skills, lack of motivation, reduced energy and poor work performance