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"Just the Facts…" Empower your children and grandchildren by opening a dialogue with them about marijuana What is Marijuana? Marijuana generally refers to the dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the Cannabis Sativa plant. This mixture typically is green, brown, or gray in color and resembles the appearance of tobacco. The major mind-altering chemical in Cannabis is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol).
How long does marijuana stay in your body? The speed at which marijuana leaves your body depends on several factors including the speed of your metabolism, the potency of the THC, and the amount of marijuana you smoke. Most commonly, traces of marijuana can stay in your saliva for up to 3 days, urine for up to 30 days, and your hair for up to 90 days.
Is marijuana addictive? Marijuana can be addictive. Not everyone who uses marijuana becomes addicted, but some users do develop signs of dependence. One study found that people who had used marijuana before the age of 17 were more likely to use other drugs and develop addiction problems later on.
by Pam Smith
Does driving under the influence of marijuana affect driving abilities? Yes. Even low doses of marijuana can impair driving motor skills. The drug significantly affects judgment, coordination, concentration and sense of time.
Be Informed Marijuana affects your brain. THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) affects the nerve cells in the part of the brain where memories are formed. Marijuana affects your ability to excel in life. Even at lower doses marijuana impairs attention and coordination and affects the way the mind processes information. Marijuana can negatively impact your athletic, academic, and work performance. It can add difficulty to your life while taking away the ability to care about and rectify it. Marijuana affects your health. Marijuana smoke deposits four times more tar in the lungs and contains 50-70% more cancer-causing substances than tobacco smoke does. Heavy marijuana use also has been linked with depression, anxiety, and personality disturbances. Marijuana is not always what it seems. Marijuana can be laced with substances such as PCP, formaldehyde, or codeine cough syrup without your knowledge. “Blunts” - hollowed-out cigars filled with marijuana - sometimes have crack cocaine added.
Before You Risk It… Know the law Marijuana use is illegal for people under 21. It is important to note that state marijuana laws do not change the fact that using marijuana continues to be an offense under Federal law. If you choose to use, the consequences to you (your teen) could be dramatic — legally, financially, reputation-wise, and time-wise.
Know the dangers Marijuana affects brain development, and when it is used heavily by young people, its effects on thinking and memory may last a long time or even be permanent. Regular marijuana use — once a week or more — actually changes the structure of the teenage brain, specifically in areas dealing with memory and problem solving. Shortterm effects of marijuana use include memory loss, distorted perception, trouble with thinking and problemsolving, and anxiety.
Know the signs How can your grandchild tell if a friend is using marijuana? One or more of the following may be a sign: • Seeming dizzy and having trouble walking • Having red, bloodshot eyes • Having a hard time remembering things that just happened • Acting silly for no apparent reason
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Sources: www.sdrg.org , www.drugabuse.gov, www.samhsa.gov
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