1. Effects of Marijuana Use
Truth or Consequences?
Effects of Marijuana Use

2. F I C T I O N FACT CHECK MARIJUANA IS HARMLESS BECAUSE IT IS NATURAL.
Many drugs are derived from plants:
Tobacco – Tobacco Plant
Cocaine – Coca Plant
Heroin – Poppy Plant
All of these plants are natural – None of these drugs are harmless.

3. F A C T FACT CHECK Smoking marijuana weakens the immune system.
Smoking marijuana suppresses the body’s immune system.
Marijuana smokers are more susceptible to illness and infections.

4. F A C T FACT CHECK Marijuana use makes users less motivated.
Marijuana use causes “amotivational syndrome”
Users can lose interest in activities, school, work, personal hygiene and life in general.

5. F I C T I O N FACT CHECK Marijuana is not addictive.
Addiction can be psychological or physiological.
Emotionally and mentally, users feel the need to “be high”.
Heavy users can experience withdrawal symptoms without regular use.

6. The marijuana used by actors in movies and music videos is real.
F I C T I O N
FACT
CHECK
Hollywood spends a lot of money making fake vampires and aliens look real – same for drugs.

7. Marijuana bought from a dealer is pure and contains no other substances.
F I C T I O N
FACT
CHECK
Marijuana dealers often secretly lace the drug with other substances including chemicals found in bug spray, LSD and cocaine.

8. Marijuana use affects a person’s ability to safely drive a vehicle.
F A C T
FACT
CHECK
Marijuana negatively affects a driver’s attentiveness and perception of time and speed.
Marijuana impairs judgement and motor coordination and slows reaction time.
Users have an increased chance of being involved in a collision.

9. F A C T FACT CHECK Marijuana can cause forgetfulness.
THC- tetra-hydro-cannabinol connects to brain receptors that affect memory.
Users can experience difficulty with short term memory.

10. F I C T I O N FACT CHECK Marijuana use suppresses the appetite.
THC increases appetite – causes the “munchies”
Increased appetite often results in weight gain.

11. Marijuana does not lead to the use of other drugs.
F I C T I O N
FACT
CHECK
Marijuana is known as a “GATEWAY DRUG”.
Use often leads to the use of other drugs including cocaine, ecstasy, prescription drugs and heroin.

12. F I C T I O N FACT CHECK Marijuana smoke is safe.
The smoke from marijuana contains the cancer causing substances found in tobacco.
The heat alone from a marijuana joint can heat 50 cigarettes.

13. Marijuana does not affect athletic performance.
F I C T I O N
FACT
CHECK
Marijuana affects:
-timing
-movement
-depth perception
-coordination

14. RANK AND FILE Pharmacist Airline Pilot Auto Mechanic 911 Dispatcher
Surgeon
Construction Worker
Student
Childcare Worker
Principal
Dentist
RANK AND FILE

15. Marijuana users have an increased risk for depression and schizophrenia.
F A C T
FACT
CHECK
Marijuana has been proved to have a strong correlation to depression, early onset schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.

16. A parent’s negative attitude toward marijuana use has the most influence over a teen’s decision not to use it.
F A C T
FACT
CHECK
Most powerful influence in a teen’s life.
Studies show marijuana use is lowest among teens whose parents strongly disapprove.

17. Marijuana users always know what to expect when they use the drug.
F I C T I O N
FACT
CHECK
The effects are unpredictable! Marijuana affects each person differently depending on genetics, marijuana potency, experience with the drug and how it’s taken.

18. Marijuana use interferes with critical thinking and problem-solving.
F A C T
FACT
CHECK
THC acts on cannabinoid receptors in the brain.
-normally these are activated by brain chemicals.
-Marijuana over activates the system, disrupting concentration, problem solving, learning and memory.

19. F A C T FACT CHECK Marijuana use impairs concentration and balance.
THC blocks receptors in the brain that regulate concentration and balance.

20. Marijuana contains a chemical that changes the way the brain works.
F A C T
FACT
CHECK
Contains THC.
Like alcohol, marijuana alters the brain.
Marijuana use will damage a teenage brain.

21. Marijuana use does not affect academic performance or achievements.
F I C T I O N
FACT
CHECK
Students who use often:
-Have lower grades
-Are more likely to drop out of HS.

22. Marijuana use during pregnancy does not affect the developing fetus.
F I C T I O N
FACT
CHECK
Pregnant women who use marijuana face the following possibilities:
-Premature Labor
-Underweight baby.
-Birth defects
-Mental abnormalities
-increased risk of childhood leukemia.

23. High doses of marijuana can cause psychosis or panic attacks.
F A C T
FACT
CHECK
Studies have shown that users experience an acute psychotic reaction or intense panic attacks while under the influence.

24. K2 or Spice is safer than marijuana because it’s “fake weed”.
F I C T I O N
FACT
CHECK
Synthetic marijuana is essentially poison with unpredictable effects. Side effects include:
-vomiting
-confusion
-hallucinations
-heart attack
-sudden death

25. Smoking marijuana slows the heart rate, so it’s relaxing.
F I C T I O N
FACT
CHECK
Marijuana increases the heart rate 20-50% shortly after smoking.
This effect can last up to 3 hours.
The increased heart rate can reduce blood supply to the heart and cause chest pain.

26. F A C T FACT CHECK Marijuana use impairs short-term memory.
THC alters how information is processed in the hippocampus – the area responsible for memory formation.

27. F A C T FACT CHECK Marijuana smoke can cause respiratory problems.
Consists of mixture of gases and particles that are harmful to the lungs.
Regular smokers have respiratory problems such as – cough, phlegm production, frequent acute chest illness and greater risk of lung infections.