1. Greg Gutkin Eric Neustadt Tommy Parr
Marijuana
Greg Gutkin
Eric Neustadt
Tommy Parr

2. What is marijuana?
Marijuana, or cannabis, is a plant found all over the world

3. How is marijuana used?
In order to use marijuana, people will dry out the leaves and then roll them into a joint and them smoke the drug.
Marijuana can also be consumed, people who consume marijuana will usually bake it into something like brownies, instead of just eating the raw leaves
THC, which is derived from Marijuana can be made into pills, however ritualistic marijuana users always smoke the drug

4. How is marijuana used? Cont.
Special brownies Marijuana joint

5. Guiding Question
What are the psychological effects of marijuana and how can these effects be harmful to students who go to the International Academy?

6. The Myth of Marijuana
Most people believe Marijuana is the least harmful drug to use
This contributes to the idea that Marijuana is not harmful at all
This is true to a certain extent, however Marijuana does have its own harmful effects that are constantly overlooked

7. What are the desired effects of marijuana?
Marijuana is a psychoactive or brain altering drug
People use marijuana to feel relaxed and euphoric
The reason for this feeling is because of the drug THC or tetra-hydrochloric acid

8. What are the undesirable short term effects of marijuana?
Problems with memory and learning
Distorted Perception
Loss of motor coordination
Increased heart rate
It has been found that people who do marijuana have a very high chance for getting in car accidents while high

9. What are the undesirable long term effects?
Increased chance of psychosis
Suicidal thoughts and attempts later in life
Depression
Reduced neurotoxin levels in the brain
Impaired brain development
Long term damage to parts of the brain that control memory, attention and learning
Increased chance of taking more serious drugs such as heroin, cocaine, etc.
Lack of ambition (Amotivational Syndrome)

10. How this is harmful to IA Students
The IA is an academically intense school focused on learning
Even though marijuana relieves stress it also affects memory and learning making school harder
This can lead to a problematic cycle (Long term damage to memory, learning and attention)

11. Marijuana Users Regrets
Interference with thinking (43%)
Less Energy (40%)
Involvement with bad influences (33%)
Less interest in other activities (30%)
Regretted Behaviors (25%)
Damaged relationships with parents and friends

12. Why do people, especially students use marijuana?
There are many reasons for using Marijuana
Entertainment (Less Energy, Less Interest)
Fitting in with friends and other social groups (Involvement with bad influences )
To get away from the stresses of normal life (Damaged relationships)
Peer Pressure

13. Prevention Reasons for quitting:
Concerns people give about marijuana are physical and psychological effects
They quit because they do not feel like getting high, fear of dependency, and parental disapproval

14. Prevention continued
The best way to prevent use is by getting information to those who are most likely to use the drug
The main deterrent to use is fear of consequences
Morning Announcements

15. Works Cited
Reduced serum concentrations of nerve growth factor, but not brain-derived neurotrophic factor, in chronic cannabis abusers.(Report)." European Neuropsychopharmacology 18.12 (Dec 2008): 882(6). Health Reference Center Academic. Gale. INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL. 1 Dec. 2008  <
Pedersen, W. "Does cannabis use lead to depression and suicidal behaviours? A population-based longitudinal study.(Clinical report)." Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 118.5 (Nov 2008): 395(9). Health Reference Center Academic. Gale. INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL. 1 Dec. 2008 
Terry-McElrath, Yvonne M., Patrick M. O'Malley, and Lloyd D. Johnston. "Saying no to marijuana: why American youth report quitting or abstaining.(Report)." Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 69.6 (Nov 2008): 796(10). Health Reference Center Academic. Gale. INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL. 1 Dec <