1. MOST COMMONLY USED ILLICIT DRUG IN THE UNITED STATES!!!!
Marijuana
MOST COMMONLY USED ILLICIT DRUG IN THE UNITED STATES!!!!

2. Street Names for Marijuana (a mixture of dried-out leaves, stems, flowers and seeds of the hemp plant)
Pot
Herb
Weed
Grass
White
Widow
Ganja
Astro Turf
Texas Tea
Bhang
Dagga
Dope
Hemp
Home Grown J
Mary Jane
Reefer
Roach

3. Main Active Ingredient
THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocanabinol)
Damages nerve cells in part of brain where memories are formed
Makes it hard to remember things

4. Short Term Effects Sensory distortion Panic Anxiety
Poor coordination of movement
Lowered reaction time
After initial “up”, the user feels sleepy or depressed
Increased heartbeat (and risk of heart attack)

5. Long Term Effects Reduced resistance to common illnesses
Suppression of the immune system
Growth disorders
Increase of abnormally structured cells in the body
Reduction of male sex hormones
Rapid destruction of lung fibers and lesions to the brain could be permanent
Study difficulties
Apathy, drowsiness, lack of motivation
Personality and mood changes
Inability to understand things clearly

6. Compared to Cigarettes
Contains 50-70% more carcinogens than tobacco smoke
Marijuana users inhale more deeply and hold breath longer = increased exposure
Causes 5 times more carbon monoxide to accumulate in blood
3 times more tar inhaled
1/3 more tar settles in respiratory tract
1 joint does same damage as 5 cigarettes