The Real Facts About Marijuana:

Information for Teens

Also called “pot, grass, reefer, weed, herb, or MJ”

Greenish-gray mixture of the dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of Cannabis sativa—the hemp plant

Primary chemical is Delta 9 – tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

What is Marijuana?

Marijuana is safe to use because it’s a plant.

FACT: Not all plants are safe to smoke or ingest.

Oleander, Ficus, and Lily of the Valley are just a few of the hundreds of plants that are poisonous. www.livescience.com

Heroin, cocaine, cyanide and strychnine are all harmful substances made from plants.

Human Relations Media: Gateway Drugs and Beyond

Myths About Marijuana

Today’s Marijuana – THC Content

1960’s - 1970’s was 1-4% Today up to 40%

John Underwood

Life of an Athlete

Why does smoking marijuana

redden the eyes?

A few minutes after inhaling marijuana smoke, the heart rate speeds up, the bronchial passages relax and become enlarged, and blood vessels in the eyes expand, making the eyes look red.

NIDA

Short-Term Effect

Distorts perception of reality Impairs short-term memory

Paranoia/Panic Attacks Risky/Irresponsible behavior

Concentration & learning problemsLoss of physical & mental

motivation Dry mouth & throat

Difficulty keeping track of timeIncreased appetite

Impairs coordination and balance

MarijuanaPotential Short-Term Effects

NIDA

MarijuanaPotential Long-Term

Effects • Increased tolerance

• Addiction

• Increased risk of depression, suicidal

thoughts

• Increased appetite and weight gain

• Weakened immune system

• Respiratory problems

• Increased risk of cancerNIDA

Marijuana is Not Addictive

FACT: Marijuana is addictive. The National Institutes of Health found that the EARLIER marijuana use begins, the HIGHER the risk of drug abuse and

addiction.

62 % of teens in drug treatment are addicted to marijuana. ONDCP

Each year, more teens enter treatment with a primary diagnosis of marijuana addiction than for all other illegal drugs combined.

Partnership for a Drug-Free America

Myths About Marijuana

Why Are Drugs So Hard to Quit?

Video One

Symptoms are similar in type and severity to those of nicotine withdrawal:irritabilitysleeping difficultiesanxietycraving

Symptoms peak a few days after marijuana use has stopped.

Withdrawal symptoms can make it hard for someone to quit using marijuana.

NIDA - Marijuana – Facts for Teens

Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms

“Using alcohol, marijuana, and/or tobacco regularly, especially during the teen years, can open the door to the use of other drugs, including cocaine, LSD, heroin, and to prescription drug abuse during their lifetime.”

ONDCP

Marijuana "Opens the Door"

Anyone Can Become Addicted to Drugs

Video Two

THC (Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) is rapidly absorbed by fatty tissues in various organs, including the brain.

THC is released very slowly in the body over time.

Marijuana & Your Body

NIDA

How long does THC stay in your system?

How long can THC be detected?

Detection Time for Marijuana use:

1 time use: 5 - 8 days 2-4x per month: 11 - 18 days 2-4x per week: 23 - 35 days 5-6x per week: 33 - 48 days Daily Use: 49 - 63 days John Underwood

Life of an Athlete

Marijuana use can negatively affect:

The HeartIncreased heart rate of 20 –

100% that could last up to 3 hours

4.8x greater risk of heart attack in the first hour after smoking

Marijuana & Your Body

NIDA

Marijuana use can negatively affect:

The LungsMarijuana smoke contains 50 –

70% more cancer causing chemicals than tobacco smoke.

Use can create respiratory problems (cough, phlegm, acute chest illnesses, greater risk of lung infection) over time.

Marijuana & Your Body

NIDA

Can Marijuana Use During Pregnancy Harm the Baby?

Babies exposed to marijuana before birth are more likely to show decreased problem solving skills, memory, and the ability to pay attention in school.

Schempf and Strobino 2008

Pressure from friendsBoredom

To ExperimentInfluence of media

To “fit in”To rebel

To deal with feelings

CuriosityBelieve it’s safe

Why Do Teens Use Marijuana?

NIDA

Guide to the Teen Brain

Video Three

Prefrontal Cortex

Decision Making Center

“Brake Center” - controls impulses

Last part of the brain to develop (usually in the early to mid 20’s)

SCHOLASTIC, NIDA, NIH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HHS

The Teen Brain & Decision Making

Marijuana: Effects on Brain Activity

NON-USER MARIJUANA USER

Amen Clinic

Simple Hand Movement

The Teen Brain & MemoryThe hippocampus is the part of the brain that

forms memories.

The THC in marijuana negatively affects how the hippocampus processes information and forms memories.

NIDA.

The Teen Brain & Marijuana

SCHOLASTIC, NIDA, NIH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HHS

Marijuana use can worsen depression and lead to other serious mental health issues,

e.g. schizophrenia, anxiety, and suicide.

Weekly use of marijuana DOUBLES a teen’s risk of

depression and anxiety.

NIDA

Marijuana & Mental Health

Academic PerformanceMarijuana Use

Negatively affects learning A teen who uses is 4 times

more likely to report “D” grades.

SAMHSA

Is linked to higher dropout rates A teenage marijuana user is 2

times more likely to drop out of school than a non-user.

NIDA

Marijuana is HarmlessFACT: Marijuana use can:

lead to many health, social, learning, and behavioral problems at an important developmental time, the teen years

negatively affect judgment, resulting in poor decisions related to sex, criminal activity, driving under the influence, etc.

ONDCP

Myths About Marijuana

Marijuana use can close the door to

your future!

EmploymentMarijuana Use

Many companies, industries, and professions require drug testing to be hired and/or drug testing while employed.

CADCA

Job applications often ask if someone has ever been convicted of a crime or has a case pending, including drug related offenses. Employment Screening Resources

College Admission Marijuana Convictions must be reported on college applications

Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense (including in juvenile court) other than a minor traffic violation, or are there criminal charges pending against you at this time?

Yes No

Oakland University Undergrad Application

Financial Aid & College Scholarships

Marijuana Conviction

1 in 400 students (over 40,000) nationwide, is denied federal financial aid because of a drug conviction.

Scholarships can be denied or discontinued because of a drug conviction.

College Students, Arrests, and Financial Aid Guide

“EVERYBODYgets high”

...NOT!

Michigan Youth Risk Behavior Survey (2011)

30 Days Before the

Survey

10th Graders 12th Graders

Did Not Use Marijuana

80% 79%

Smoking marijuana doesn’t affect driving ability

FACT:Even a small amount of marijuana decreases

the ability to drive. Use affects alertness, concentration,

perception, coordination and reaction time.

17% (1 in 5) of crash victims under the age of 18 tested positive for marijuana. ONDCP

ONDCP

Myths About Marijuana

Possession of Marijuana Conviction 1 year in jail and/or$2,000 fine plus court costs6 month suspension of driving privileges

Marijuana Use Conviction90 days in jail and/or$100 fine plus court costs90 days suspension of driving privileges

Legal Consequences in Michigan

Driving Privileges Marijuana Use

A marijuana conviction delays getting a driver’s license.

Marijuana use/possession results in an automatic 6 month suspension of a driver’s license - whether use/possession was in a car or not.

Marijuana Addiction Facts

Video Four

Some of the ingredients in marijuana, such as THC , have medicinal effects.

Some people get relief from symptoms of their illnesses by

smoking marijuana. However, using marijuana as medicine does

not make it medicine.It has not gone through the Food and Drug

Administration (FDA) approval process to show that its benefits outweigh its risks.

SCHOLASTIC, NIDA, NIH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HHS

Marijuana is NOT medicine

FDA: How Medicine is Approved

SCHOLASTIC, NIDA, NIH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HHS

Some states, including Michigan, have allowed a vote to approve the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

There is a conflict between Federal law and the law in those states that have approved Medical Marijuana.

Medical Marihuana

The Federal Government considers marijuana to be a controlled substance with “no currently accepted medical use.”

Federal law states, that it’s illegal, under any circumstances, to grow, use, possess, or transport marijuana.

The manufacture, distribution, or possession of marijuana is a criminal offense, according to Federal law.

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

ACT

Medical Marihuana

Allows doctor s to recommend (not prescribe) use by people who have certain “serious” medical conditions

Requires registration with the state to use and/or grow limited amounts of marijuana to treat their symptoms

Does not guarantee protection against federal prosecution for possession, growing, distributing, or using marijuana

The Michigan Medical Marihuana Act

Medical Marijuana use is not allowed:

While operating a car or any other motor vehicle, aircraft, or motorboat

In a public place or on any form of public transportation, including a school bus

In schools

In a correctional facilityMichigan Medical Marihuana Act

2008

Some Facts about Michigan’s

Medical Marihuana Act

Addiction rates among 12-17 year olds are among the highest levels nationally in states that have “medical marijuana” programs.

CADCA: POSITION STATEMENT ON “MEDICAL” MARIJUANA AND MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION

44

Medical Marijuana and Teens

Any time you put drugs in your body, you risk serious physical and emotional damage.

Drug use can have a significant negative impact on your family relationships, friendships, school and athletic performance, and your future.

It’s important to find ways to manage emotions, deal with stress, and have fun without using drugs.

Most teens do not use marijuana or other drugs.

Marijuana Matters – The Facts