MarijuanaDanielle Dion

What is Marijuana? Marijuana is dried leaves, flowers,

stems, and seeds from the plant Cannabis sativa

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the component that is illegal.

Although it is considered an illegal substance by the federal government, some states recently have recently legalized it for medical treatment.

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Quote: Marijuana is a drug that has existed in

society for hundreds of years.

“Some of my finest hours have been spent on my back veranda, smoking hemp and observing as far as my eye can see.”

- Thomas Jefferson

Common Street Names Blunt Dope Ganja Grass Herb Joint Bud Mary Jane Pot Reefer

Green Trees Smoke Skunk Weed Hash Tea Chronic Loud

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How is it used? Smoked (cigarettes, joints, pipes, bongs) Eaten (mixed in foods) Drank (brewed as tea)

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Common Myths… NOT Facts Marijuana is harmless Marijuana is not addictive Marijuana is not as harmful to your health

as tobacco Marijuana makes you mellow Marijuana is used to treat cancer and

other disease Marijuana is not as popular as ecstasy

and other drugs among teens today Source 2

Discussion Point #1 Do any of these myths presented above

surprise you? And did you previously think any of these myths were actually facts? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Effects of Marijuana Targets brain (cannabinoid receptors) Disrupts normal brain development and

function Altered perceptions and mood, impaired

coordination, difficulty thinking and problem solving, disrupted learning and memory

Can have permanent detrimental effects on thinking/memory in a young developing brain

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Short Term Effects Feeling a “high” or pleasant sensation Loss of coordination Memory, judgment, and pereception

impairment Inadequate memory Increases heart rate within a few minutes

after intake of marijuana Bronchial passage relaxation and

enlargement, blood vessels in eyes expand, eyes appear red

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Health Effects Smoke irritates lungs Increases heart rate by 20-100 percent after

smoking Increases risk of heart attack Temporary psychotic reactions (hallucinations and

paranoia) Impairs judgment and motor coordination Respiratory problems

Ex: daily cough, phlegm production, acute chest illness, increased lung infections

Possibly increases risk for lung cancerSource 1

Risks in the Youth: Impairs coordination and judgment. More than

double’s a driver’s risk of being in an accident Decreases a teens cognitive abilities for as long as

several weeks after usage If used during youth, it often results in chronic

weakened verbal communication and learning difficulties with shortened attention span

Associations with use in the youth and development of mental illness and psychosis later in life

Early use has also been linked to depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts amongst teens

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Discussion Point #2 With all these health risks and negative

side effects of marijuana, why do you think it is such a common drug used amongst teens? Do you believe the youth is educated enough about the effects of marijuana on the body? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Medicinal Marijuana Used in treating pain, nausea, cancers,

epilepsy, cannabidiol, and in other medical conditions

While its therapeutic effects are not known to out weigh the risks, marijuana is FDA approved for treating conditions

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Medicinal Marijuana Started to be legalized in California and has

continued to be legalized in 20 other US states as well.

California = “Cannabis Capital” Obtained by going to a pain clinic Over 1,000 medical marijuana dispenser

companies in just Los Angeles, CA alone 1 g costs between 25-75 dollars. This dose

lasts usually one day Flavors: butter, brownies, banana, blueberry

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You Tube Clip www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdQ-

87OrTtY

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Discussion Point #3 What is your opinion on the legalization

of medicinal marijuana? Do you believe the benefits of treating diseases and pain out weight the negative side effects or no? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Marijuana and Addiction Marijuana IS addictive! About 9 percent of users become

addicted Withdrawal symptoms: irritability,

sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, drug craving etc.

No medications are available for management of withdrawal symptoms

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Effects of Marijuana on Daily Life

Heavy users usually report lower satisfaction, poor mental status, poor physical health, relationship problems, and less academic success

Has been shown to be associated with increased absences, tardiness, accidents, workers’ compensation claims, and job turnovers.

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Gateway Drug ?? Studies show the risk of using cocaine is

much greater for those who have used previously tried marijuana

Using marijuana puts individuals in contact/more exposed to users of others drugs

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Discussion Point #4 Have you seen in high schools or in your

life individuals who have started using marijuana and it has become a gateway drug for them? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Quitting using Marijuana Researchers currently do not have a drug to

help treat marijuana addiction Behavioral therapy programs for drug abusers National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

(1-800-273-TALK) Treatment Referral Helpline

(1-800-662-HELP) Refers substance abusers to treatment

facilities, support groups, and other local organizations for help and treatment methods

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Marijuana Statistics According to NIDA’s 2012 Monitoring the

Future Study: The following are percentages of

individuals who had used marijuana in the current month of the survey 6.5% of 8th graders 17 % of 10th graders, 22.9% of 12 graders

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Discussion Point #5 What do you think about the statistics

listed on the previous slide about the percentage of individuals using marijuana per grade? Are you surprise by the statistics? Do you find this to be an accurate representation of what you see? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Resources: Source 1: National Institute on Drug Abuse: The Science of Drug Abuse

& Addiction. Drug Facts: Marijuana. (2014). Retrieved on February 8, 2014 from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana

Source 2: Office of National Drug Control Policy: Myths & Facts. The Truth Behind 10 Popular Misperceptions. (2013) Retrieved on February 8, 2014 from https://www.ncjrs.gov/ondcppubs/publications/pdf/marijuana_myths_facts.pdf

Source 3: Above the Influence: Marijuana. Retrieved on February 8, 2014 from http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/facts/drugsmarijuana

Source 4: Medical Marijuana: How it Works in California. (2010). You Tube Videos. Retrieved on February 8, 2014 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdQ-87OrTtY

Source 5: NIDA for Teens: Drug Facts Marijuana. (2014). Retrieved on February 8, 2014 from http://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/marijuana

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