MARIJUANA
THE FACTS
MARIJUANA
Has effects on many parts of the body
 Has more than 400 known chemicals in
one joint
 Is often “laced” with other drugs
 Is usually the first, and most frequently
used, illegal drug
 Is not used by as many teens as you
think!
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THC
The “active ingredient” in marijuana
 Is fat soluble
 May be stored in the body for up to 28
days
 Is stored in areas of high fat content: the
lungs, brain and reproductive organs
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AS A HALLUCINOGEN
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MARIJUANA CAUSES SHORT TERM
MEMORY LOSS
CAUSES USER TO FEEL EUPHORIC
ALTERS SENSE OF TIME AND SPACE
CAUSES LACK OF CONCENTRATION AND
COORDINATION
CAUSES MOOD CHANGES
HARMFUL EFFECTS ON THE
BODY
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May cause chronic cough
Chronic lung disease, bronchitis, emphysema
Irritates air passages
Marijuana joints contain more carcinogens
than tobacco cigarettes
Increased heart rate and appetite
Disrupts ovulation and menstrual cycle
Decreases sperm count
USING MARIJUANA

By young males
before and during
puberty can have
harmful long term
effects on their
reproductive
systems
 Can dramatically
increase the risk of
lung diseases!
USING MARIJUANA
Slows the process for new learning
 Reduces inhibitions
 Impairs the ability to do complex tasks
 Decreases the effect of the immune
system
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