Marijuana
Myths and Realities
Effects
Legal Issues
Vocabulary to understand:
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Marijuana
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Psychoactive
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Dried flower clusters and leaves of the
hemp plant named cannabis sativa
Mind altering
THC
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The active ingredient in marijuana
More vocabulary to comprehend
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Euphoria
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Feeling of great happiness or well-being
Illicit
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Illegal (against the law)
Main reasons teens begin
using marijuana
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Curiosity
Peer Pressure
Desire to appear more grown up
Pleasurable effects
Coping device
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Help them deal with life’s problems
Immediate effects of
marijuana
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CANNABIS : smoked as loosely rolled
cigarettes (joints). May be eaten, but is
generally smoked
Effects are immediate, but intensify, get
stronger, and peak at around 30 minutes.
Drug related effects may last for up to 3 hours
Effects vary from person to person by their
experience and expectations.
Immediate Effects of
Marijuana on the Body
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Increase heart and pulse rate
Red eyes
Dryness in mouth and throat
Mild lowering of body temperature
Effects of Low doses of
marijuana
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Tend to induce restlessness with sense of
well-being followed by euphoria
Change of sensory perception - more vivid
sense of sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing
Temporarily impairs short term memory
Can alter sense of time and reduce ability to
perform tasks needing concentration, swift
reactions, and coordination
Effects of stronger doses of
marijuana
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Can intensify other reactions
Image distortions, loss of personal
identity, fantasies, hallucinations
Marijuana today is 10 times stronger
than it was in 1975!!
So it is more dangerous now than it was
in 1975.
Long Term Effects of Marijuana
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Scientific research has proved:
 THC is the active ingredient in marijuana
 It is absorbed by many tissues and body
organs
 It stays in the body for as long as one month
 Monkeys used to test marijuana showed
changes in the structure of brain cells when they
used marijuana 5 days a week for 6 months
 It can increase the heart rate by 50%
More long term effects
• Affects the lungs : unfiltered smoke is held in
the lungs as long as possible, thus causing
pulmonary problems
• Heavy use can affect white blood cell
formation needed for a healthy immune
system
• Chronic use affects male and female
reproductive systems
– Males make less testosterone and less sperm
– Female fertility is lessened and there are problems
with the menstrual cycle
Legal Issues
Laws for sale and possession vary from state to state
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MARYLAND
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Possession or use of any amount of marijuana is punishable by
up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Cultivation, delivery or sale of less than 50 pounds of marijuana is
punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to
$15,000.
Possession, use or sale of paraphernalia is a criminal fine of $500
for the first offense. For a second or subsequent offense, the
penalties increase to a term of up to two years in prison and a fine
of up to $2,000.
Within 1000 feet of school or school us felony: 10 - 20 years and
$10,000/$20,000 fine
For any second or subsequent conviction, the sentence may
double from that for a first offense.
What precedes marijuana use?
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Most studies show tobacco use and use
of alcohol come before use of marijuana
Most marijuana smokers do not go on to
use other drugs, but some do.
Most young people are introduced to
marijuana by their peers. This
contributes to early experimentation and
regular use.
Marijuana is a gateway drug
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It starts some people on the road to
other, harder, more dangerous drugs.
The earlier one starts using marijuana,
the more likely the use will be heavy.
Early use increases the chances of
experimenting with other drugs.
In summary….
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Marijuana is a psychoactive drug
The most recent surveys show fewer people
smoke marijuana than tobacco and most teens
and adults are non-users.
Marijuana may help someone feel better, but it
will not solve or help them cope effectively with
their problems.
A main reason for marijuana use is peer pressure
There are legal, social, and health consequences
for using marijuana.
Decriminalization v. Legalization
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Decriminalization provides clear penalties
and suggests marijuana use is against the
law. It is designed to establish a more
appropriate punishment for small amounts for
personal use.
Legalization, if it were to become law,
provides no penalty for possession of
marijuana
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As research provides more facts, this is becoming
less and less likely.