Marijuana: Myth and Marijuana: Myth and RealityReality

To explore reasons why people choose To explore reasons why people choose to participate in the illegal use of to participate in the illegal use of

marijuanamarijuana

And the short term and long term And the short term and long term effects of marijuana. effects of marijuana.

The nature of MarijuanaThe nature of Marijuana

Cames from a plant call cannabis Cames from a plant call cannabis sativa. It grows wild. Cannibis sativa sativa. It grows wild. Cannibis sativa

contains over contains over 400 400 chemicals. chemicals. The seeds of cannabis sativa are The seeds of cannabis sativa are

used in feed mixtures and the oil as used in feed mixtures and the oil as an ingredient in paint. an ingredient in paint.

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannibinolDelta-9-tetrahydrocannibinol

THCTHC

THC THC = delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol= delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol

The is a psychoactive or mind The is a psychoactive or mind altering ingrediant which is the altering ingrediant which is the intoxicant in marijuana. intoxicant in marijuana.

What percentage of teenagers What percentage of teenagers use marijuana?use marijuana?

What percentage of teenagers What percentage of teenagers smoked marijuana during the past smoked marijuana during the past month?month?

What percentage of teenagers smoke What percentage of teenagers smoke marijuana daily.marijuana daily.

Prevalence of Marijuana UsePrevalence of Marijuana Use

Marijuana Use 8Marijuana Use 8thth Grade 10 Grade 10thth Grade 12 Grade 12thth Grade Grade CombinedCombined

12.5% 28.8% 36.4% 12.5% 28.8% 36.4% 25.9%25.9%

The five year threndshows an increase in daily, current, and past The five year threndshows an increase in daily, current, and past year marijuana use by 10year marijuana use by 10thth and 12 and 12thth graders. The increases might graders. The increases might be attributable, in part, to a decline in the perceived risk be attributable, in part, to a decline in the perceived risk associated with marijuana use.associated with marijuana use.

Fewer people smoke marijuana Fewer people smoke marijuana than you think. As with than you think. As with

cigarettes people who use cigarettes people who use marijuana represent a small marijuana represent a small

minority with the vast majority minority with the vast majority of teen and adults. of teen and adults.

It is It is notnot “something that “something that everyone is doing”.everyone is doing”.

Reasons Teenagers Begin Reasons Teenagers Begin Smoking MarijuanaSmoking Marijuana

Curiosity: marijuana is something new and Curiosity: marijuana is something new and different to try.different to try.

Peer Group Pressure: Friends smoke it so it cant Peer Group Pressure: Friends smoke it so it cant be bad if “everyone is doing it.”be bad if “everyone is doing it.”

Desire to appear more grown-up: may be viewed Desire to appear more grown-up: may be viewed as adult like behavior.as adult like behavior.

Pleasurable Effects: teenagers may smoke Pleasurable Effects: teenagers may smoke marijuana because they like the way it makes marijuana because they like the way it makes them feel.them feel.

Coping Device; some people may begin smoking Coping Device; some people may begin smoking marijuana because they think it will help them marijuana because they think it will help them deal with life problems.deal with life problems.

Effects of MarijuanaEffects of Marijuana

Immediate Immediate EffectsEffects

An increase in heart and An increase in heart and pulse rate.pulse rate.

Reddening of the eyesReddening of the eyes A dryness in the month of A dryness in the month of

throat.throat. A mild decrease in body A mild decrease in body

temperaturetemperature RestlessnessRestlessness Increase sense of well Increase sense of well

beingbeing Dreamy state of euphoriaDreamy state of euphoria

Long Term EffectsLong Term Effects THC is absorbed by manyTHC is absorbed by many

tissues and organs in the bodytissues and organs in the body Marijuana can increase the Marijuana can increase the

heart rate by 50%heart rate by 50% Marijuana can effect the lungsMarijuana can effect the lungs Heavy marijuana use can Heavy marijuana use can

effect white blood cell effect white blood cell formation necessary for the formation necessary for the body’s immune systembody’s immune system

Marijuana can have an effect Marijuana can have an effect on the make and female on the make and female reproductive systems. reproductive systems.

Synthetic MarijuanaSynthetic Marijuana

AKA - Blaze, Blueberry Haze, Dank, AKA - Blaze, Blueberry Haze, Dank, Demon Passion Smoke, Genie, Demon Passion Smoke, Genie, Hawaiian Hybrid, K2, Magma, Ninja, Hawaiian Hybrid, K2, Magma, Ninja, Nitro, Ono Budz, Panama Red Ball, Nitro, Ono Budz, Panama Red Ball, Puff, Sativah Herbal Smoke, Skunk, Puff, Sativah Herbal Smoke, Skunk, Spice, Ultra Chronic and Voodoo Spice, Ultra Chronic and Voodoo Spice.Spice.

Synthetic MarijuanaSynthetic Marijuana

Fake weed products are legal. They Fake weed products are legal. They are often marketed as “100% organic are often marketed as “100% organic herbs” insinuating that they are herbs” insinuating that they are natural or completely safe. natural or completely safe.

The truth is that not of the products The truth is that not of the products on the market are completely on the market are completely natural.natural.

Synthetic MarijuanaSynthetic Marijuana

the fake marijuana products contained the fake marijuana products contained a chemical called HU-210, which has a a chemical called HU-210, which has a molecular structure very similar to THC molecular structure very similar to THC -- the active ingredient in marijuana. -- the active ingredient in marijuana. Because HU-210 is listed as a Schedule Because HU-210 is listed as a Schedule 1 controlled substance in the United 1 controlled substance in the United States, the fake weed products were States, the fake weed products were manufactured and sold only in Europe.manufactured and sold only in Europe.

Synthetic MarijuanaSynthetic Marijuana

A Schedlued 1 Controlled Substances A Schedlued 1 Controlled Substances has a high potential for abuse, has has a high potential for abuse, has no currently accepted medical use in no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and treatment in the United States, and there is a lack of accepted safety for there is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision. under medical supervision.

What happens when you What happens when you smoke synthetic marijuana?smoke synthetic marijuana?

We don’t know!!!! We have no We don’t know!!!! We have no scientific evidence of what happens scientific evidence of what happens to humans. to humans.

Some research consucted on animals Some research consucted on animals suggest it has the same long term suggest it has the same long term effects as marijuana.effects as marijuana.

Do not take anything that has not Do not take anything that has not been tested and there’s no reseach been tested and there’s no reseach on. That just plain dumb!!!on. That just plain dumb!!!

Other No No’sOther No No’s

InhalantsInhalantsPrescription and over the counter Prescription and over the counter

drugs.drugs.

teen.drugabuse.gov/peerx/teen.drugabuse.gov/peerx/