1. Marijuana

2. What is it? Marijuana is made from the plant cannabis sativa, a plant that grows wild throughout many regions. Most of the marijuana used in the U. S. comes from U.S. Mexico and Canada. Marijuana consists of the buds, leaves, and resin of the cannabis plant. The stalks and sterilized seeds are considered "hemp.“ The plant, cannabis sativa, contains THC (delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol) which is responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis.

3. What’s in it? THC levels have changed over the last 30 years. In present day, Marijuana has a higher THC content than it’s counterpart of the 1960’s and 1970’s.

4. Why does it work? SHORT TERM EFFECTS of marijuana use include… impaired short-term memory impaired concentration, attention, and judgment; impaired coordination and balance increased heart rate, blood shot eyes, dry mouth increased appetite (the "munchies") Other effects include anxiety, panic, and paranoia, auditory hallucinations and time distortion. LONG TERM EFFECTS of marijuana use include addiction (psychological), persistent anxiety, impaired learning skills and memory difficulties.

5. Why is it illegal? Marijuana was used throughout history in the United States. During the dust bowl in the 1930’s, the regulation of marijuana was used to control migrant workers in southern states. The idea that the U.S. needed to ‘take care of it’s own’ led to prosecution of these migrant workers (mostly Mexicans). The U.S. controlled marijuana by having creating the need for a tax stamp which the U.S. government did not produce

6. Is it addictive? The use of marijuana is widely recognized as being psychologically addictive. A person may feel the need to use pot in order to complete daily activities. These users are considered amotivational. Another question is…do these people lack motivation because they use or do they use because they lack motivation? (Deep, huh?)

7. Why is it popular? The use of marijuana became especially popular during the 1960’s as part of the counterculture movement (hippies). It maintains it’s popularity because it is perceived to be relatively harmless drug by teenagers. Of course, it’s use is often glorified in today’s society.

8. Is it a gateway drug? Not everyone who uses marijuana will go on to use other drugs, however, most people who use other drugs have also used marijuana. Most addiction specialists also agree that tobacco and alcohol are gateway drugs. More importantly, what social influences are developed through drug dealers. Would this change with legalization?

9. So who uses it? More than 25 million persons aged 12 or older reported using marijuana in the past year, according to 2002 NSDUH data, representing 11.0 percent of the U.S. population over the age of 12. NSDUH data further show that percentages are high across various demographics as well. Among three primary age groups, rates of past year marijuana use were higher for those aged 12 to 17 (15.8%) and 18 to 25 (29.8%) than those 26 or older (7.0%). Past year use was higher for males (13.6%) than females (8.4%) and higher for non-Hispanics (11.2%) than Hispanics (9.0%). Marijuana use for college students aged 19 to 22 were 35.6% and 34.7%.

10. Is it expensive? Marijuana prices, an indication of marijuana's steady availability, have been stable for several years. Prices range considerably from market to market depending on the type and potency available, quantity purchased, purchase frequency, buyer-seller relationship, and proximity to source Current retail prices range from $5 to $50 per gram and $2 to $5 per joint, although there are reports of prices as high as $100 per gram and $20 per joint.

11. What if you get caught? 2.5 grams – 30 grams – 30 days to 1 year jail, possibly probation and fine. - Possession Above 30 grams is a felony. Casual delivery above 2.5 in a school zone is a felony. Illinois has a zero tolerance for drugged driving. Metabolites that show up in system may be linked to prior usage.

12. What about medical use? As discussed in the article, Marinol is the chemical used as ‘medical marijuana’. There are no FDA-approved medications that are smoked. For one thing, smoking is generally a poor way to deliver medicine. It is difficult to administer safe, regulated dosages of medicines in smoked form. The harmful chemicals and carcinogens are byproducts of smoking create entirely new health problems. There are four times the level of tar in a marijuana cigarette than in a tobacco cigarette.

13. Marijuana and children Marijuana crosses the placenta to the fetus. Marijuana, like cigarette smoke, contains toxins that keep the fetus from getting the proper supply of oxygen that he/she needs to grow. Smoking marijuana during pregnancy can increase the chance of miscarriage, low birth- weight, premature births, developmental delays, and behavioral and learning problems.miscarriagepremature births