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NIDA Home > Drugs of Abuse/Related Topics > Marijuana

Marijuana

Brief
Description:
The most commonly used illegal drug in the U.S. The main active chemical is THC.
Street Names:
Pot, ganga, weed, grass, and many others.
Effects:
Short-term effects include memory and learning problems, distorted perception, and difficulty thinking and solving problems.
Statistics
and Trends:

In 2006, 25 million Americans age 12 and older had abused marijuana at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health; http://www.samhsa.gov/. The NIDA-funded 2007 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 10.3% of 8th graders, 24.6% of 10th graders, and 31.7% of 12th graders had abused marijuana at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/.

NIDA's Featured Publications

Marijuana: Facts for Teens Marijuana: Facts for Teens. The latest scientific information about marijuana and its effects. Written for teenage readers. (Booklet).
En Español


Marijuana: Facts Parents Should Know


Marijuana: Facts Parents Should Know.Current scientific information for parents. (Booklet).
En Español


NIDA Infofacts: Marijuana


NIDA Infofacts: Marijuana.The latest research findings for a general audience. (Fact sheet).
En Español


NIDA Research Report: Marijuana Abuse


NIDA Research Report: Marijuana Abuse.More detailed look at the latest research findings. For a general audience. (Report).
En Español

Other NIDA Resources on Marijuana

View all related NIDA publications >>
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