MARIJUANA

What is it? - CANNABIS (MARIJUANA) IS A GENUS OF FLOWERING PLANTS THAT INCLUDES THREE DIFFERENT SPECIES, CANNABIS SATIVA, CANNABIS INDICA AND CANNABIS RUDERALIS. THESE SPECIES ARE INDIGENOUS TO CENTRAL AND SOUTH ASIA.

Mental effects:
- marijuana impairs the brains ability to learn and remember information
- it interferes with with thinking,problem solving, decision making, and concentrating—the very skills you need most while your body and mind are still changing
- it also affects coordination, alertness, and the ability to perform even simple tasks
- possible anxiety or paranoia
- possible anger, fear, rejection and/or hatred

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HOW YOU TAKE THE DRUG

• dried marijuana leaves are usually rolled up in smoking papers and lit
• adding it to baked goods or mixing it with beverages

MARIJUANA IS ADDICTIVE
Marijuana users feel relaxed when they take the drug. After they take it, they become very drowsy or dizzy and depressed.
It is psychologically addicting because the user wants to feel the feeling they get when they are high.

Describing a high "My uneasiness began to fade away and was replaced by a mellow, relaxed state. I felt as though I had no worries and no pressures. Time seemed to slow to a crawl" -Taylor 16 years old, marijuana user

RISKS OR DANGERS OF TAKING MARIJUNA

• It is illegal and you can go to jail
• Affects timing and coordination
• Slows reflexes
• It can mess up your performence in school, sports, and other activities
• Cause short term memory loss

TREATMENT METHODS

• Drug hotlines
• Treatment centers
• City or local health departments

FUN FACTS

• most frequently used illegal drug in America
• More than 200 slang terms for marijuana
• More than 83 million americans admit to having tried marijuana
• In 2000, over 700,000 people were arrested on drug charges involving marijuana
• In 2001 20% of 8th graders have had marijuana

MORE FUN FACTS

• Musicians believed marijuana made them more creative
• Someone who smokes 5 joints is inhaling as many cancer causing chemicals as 20 cigerettes
• People take marijuana because they think it is "cool"
• Many songs have drug related lyrics
• 1/3 of serious accident victims had marijuana in their blood