1. Marijuana An Educational Perspective Based on Information Contained In
The Indiana Prevention Resource Center
Factline on Marijuana

2. Indiana Prevention Resource Center
By the end of this presentation:
you will have…
(1) Been exposed to general information about Marijuana.
(2) Learned some basic facts about Marijuana users in Indiana.
(3) Viewed the potential consequences of Marijuana use, both short-term and long-term.
(4) Learned about prevention efforts in Indiana.
Indiana Prevention Resource Center

3. Indiana Prevention Resource Center
What is Marijuana?
Marijuana, Cannabis Sativa, is a fast-growing annual plant of the Cannabaceae family whose flowers produce the psychoactive chemical THC.
The level of THC contained within the plant’s flowers determines the potency of the drug.
THC content of a Cannabis Sativa plant ranges from .01 to 10 percent, with the later being 1,000 times more potent.
Indiana Prevention Resource Center

4. About Marijuana Preferred methods of use include:
Marijuana Cigarettes (“joints”) or Cigars (“blunts”)
Inhalation through a pipe or water-pipe (“bong”)
Mixed into Food or drink

5. Indiana Prevention Resource Center
What are common "street names?"
Typical street names include:
Pot
Doobie
Hashish
Dope
Grass
Bhang
Ganja
Mary Jane
Weed
Indiana Prevention Resource Center

6. Indiana Prevention Resource Center
Where does Marijuna come from?
The plant was cultivated in North America since the 1600’s and harvested for the tough fiber of the stem which was used to make a variety of products such as rope, paper, and clothing.
The Cannabis Sativa plant grows in tropical or temperate regions, and can thrive in a variety of environments including greenhouses.
Indiana Prevention Resource Center

7. Users are of all ages and come from all walks of life.
Who uses Marijuana?
Users are of all ages and come from all walks of life.
In 2006, 15.6% of Indiana 8th grade students reported having used Marijuana at least once in their lives.
By the end of 12th grade, according to 2006 estimates, 37.1% of students have used Marijuana at least once in their lives.
Indiana Prevention Resource Center

8. Indiana Prevention Resource Center
What are the acute effects
of marijuana abuse?
Distorted perception
Difficulty thinking and solving problems
Dry mouth and throat
Euphoria
Increased appetite
Impaired coordination
Paranoia
Vasodilatation
Indiana Prevention Resource Center

9. Indiana Prevention Resource Center
What other problems are related
to marijuana abuse?
Long-term effects of using marijuana include:
Enhanced cancer risk
Psychological dependence requiring more
of the drug to get the same effect
Indiana Prevention Resource Center

10. Indiana Prevention Resource Center
Medicinal Marijuana?
Until 1937, Marijuana was used as a medicine in the United States, but the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 discontinued its use.
By 1972, Marijuana had been classified as a Schedule I drug by the Controlled Substances Act. This classification denotes a high tendency for abuse and no accepted medicinal use.
Indiana Prevention Resource Center

11. Indiana Prevention Resource Center
Medicinal Marijuana?
In recent years, there has been debate amongst the medical and research community regarding the utility of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
Proposed uses include:
Appetite stimulant in AIDS patients
A pain killer for cancer patients
Treatment of glaucoma
A sedative and hypnotic for the treatment of neurological and movement disorders
Indiana Prevention Resource Center

12. Indiana Prevention Resource Center
Medicinal Marijuana?
Currently, 12 states have medical marijuana laws, but Indiana has no law permitting the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
In June 2001, the American Medical Association stated that marijuana should remain a Schedule I drug until further adequate and well-controlled studies are carried out in patients that demonstrate that medical value exceeds the associated risks.
Indiana Prevention Resource Center

13. Indiana Prevention Resource Center
What about the law?
The possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.
For first offenders, the court may consider a conditional discharge.
For possession of more than 30 grams, the penalties range from 6 months - 3 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Indiana Prevention Resource Center

14. Indiana Prevention Resource Center
Resources
The Indiana Prevention Resource Center’s Survey on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use by Indiana Children and Adolescents; Data from
The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute
The National Institute on Drug Abuse
Other References:
          Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.           Information Bulletin: Drug, Youth and the Internet (2002)           Drug Police Alliance (2004). Marijuana: The Facts. Retrieved on October 1, 2004 from <           Jones - McKyer, E.L., Jun, M.K., Raychowdhury, S., Samuel, S., Agley, J., Ortiz, M. Ayachitam, R., Kaushik, P., Thiagarajah, K., and Pothini, B.G. (2004). Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Use by Indiana Children and Adolescents: The Indiana Prevention Resource Center Survey (IDAP Monograph No ). Bloomington, IN: Indiana Prevention Resource Center.           Krisberg, K. (2005, August). Court Decision on medical marijuana use worries patient advocates. The Nations Health, The Official Newspaper of the American Public Health Association           National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health (2002). Marijuana Abuse: Research Report Series.           National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health (2003). Marijuana: Facts parents need to know           Office of National Drug Control Policy, News and Public Affairs. (2004). Results from the 2003 national survey on drug use and health  factsheet.           Office of National Drug Control Police, National Youth Anti- Drug Media Campaign. Substance Use in Popular Movies and Music. Retrieved June 30, 2005, from
Indiana Prevention Resource Center

15. Indiana Prevention Resource Center E-mail: drugprc@indiana.edu
Contact us
Indiana Prevention Resource Center
2735 East 10th Street, CA110
Bloomington, IN
Phone: or
Fax:
Content in this presentation based, in part, on a Factline produced by Bilesha Perera, Ph.D, MS in 2005 and © The Indiana Prevention Resource Center.
The Indiana Prevention Resource Center is funded, in part, by a contract with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, financially supported through HHS/Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant.  The IPRC is operated by the Indiana University Department of Applied Health Science and School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.  It is affiliated with the Department's Institute of Drug Abuse Prevention. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Trustees of Indiana University or the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. Indiana University accepts full responsibility for the content of this publication. © Copyright, 2005 by the Trustees of Indiana University.
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