Transcript Marijuana

Marijuana
Just the Facts
Marijuana
 What is it?
 Marijuana is a green
or gray mixture of
dried, shredded
flowers and leaves of
the hemp plant
Cannabis sativa. It
can be eaten in
certain foods or
smoked. It is an illegal
drug.
Marijuana affects your
behavior
 Right Away
 Interferes with your performance in sports
 Slows down reaction time
 Impairs coordination
 Over Time
 Regular use may lead to lower achievement,
increased deviant behavior and rebelliousness.
 Withdrawal symptoms: sleep problems, irritability
and anxiety on the verge of panic
Marijuana affects your
Mind
 Right away
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Hard to concentrate
Makes learning more difficult
Poor communication skills
Paranoia
Reduces alertness
 Over time
 May become psychologically dependant
 Loss of interest, unmotivated
Marijuana affects your
Body
 Right away
 Increases heart rate by 50%
 Increases hunger, especially sweets (weight gain)
 Reddening of the eyes (not due to smoke)
 Over time
 Addiction and tolerance
 Lung damage including cancer (3 joints a day =
twenty cigarettes a day)
 Males = lower testosterone levels
 Females = disruption of menstrual cycle
Biggest Dangers of
Marijuana Use
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Increased risk of accidents
Causes loss of control
Makes it harder to concentrate, learn and remember
Interferes with your ability to cope with emotions
Health concerns
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Physical and psychological dependence
Loss of interest in activities
Lung damage
Immune system damage and reproductive system problems
Links to other sources
 www.freevibe.com
 http://www.nida.nih.gov/MarijBroch/Marijt
eenstxt.html#What
 http://www.drugabuse.gov/DrugPages/M
arijuana.html