Marijuana
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Marijuana is a dried mixture of stems, leaves, and seeds from the Cannabis sativa plant. Slang terms for marijuana include pot, weed, reefer, joint, and grass. It is usually smoked as a cigarette or in a pipe called a bong. Marijuana contains over 400 other chemicals, some of which may cause cancer.
Marijuana can cause many health problems, including:
- problems with memory and learning
- distorted perception
- difficulty in thinking and problem solving
- loss of coordination
- anxiety, panic attacks, and paranoia (being excessively suspicious and/or distrustful of others)
- increased risk of a heart attack
- reduced ability of the immune system to fight disease
Like smoking tobacco, smoking marijuana may cause:
- coughing
- trouble breathing
- lung diseases
One study showed that marijuana smoking doubled or tripled the risk of developing cancers of the head or neck. Marijuana also may cause lung cancer. In fact, marijuana smoke contains 50 to 70 percent more cancer-causing compounds than does tobacco smoke.
Because marijuana makes it harder to learn and remember things, students who are heavy marijuana smokers tend to do worse in school. They get lower grades and are less likely to graduate from high school than are students who do not smoke marijuana.
For some people, marijuana can be addictive. Addiction means that you keep using a drug, even though it causes problems in your life. Using the drug also may take the place of things that you normally do for fun. If you stop using the drug, you crave it and experience withdrawal symptoms, such as sleeplessness and irritability.
Additional Information on Marijuana:
Publications
Marijuana — This site includes information on marijuana usage and its effect on the brain, lungs, heart rate, blood pressure, and mental health. It also provides statistics on marijuana use among 8th and 10th graders. http://www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/marijuana.html
Marijuana Myths & Facts: The Truth Behind 10 Popular Misperceptions — This report looks at 10 popular misperceptions about marijuana and, using the latest research findings and statistical information, explains why they are wrong. http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/marijuana_myths_facts/index.html...
Marijuana: Facts for Teens — This booklet provides teens with answers to frequently asked questions about marijuana, including what it is, who uses it, and how it affects a person physically and mentally after short and long-term use. http://www.nida.nih.gov/MarijBroch/Marijteens.html
Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to Know — This online publication provides tips for parents to help them address the issue of marijuana with their children. It also contains information on signs of use and long term effects. http://www.drugabuse.gov/MarijBroch/MarijparentsN.html
NIDA Research Report Series: Marijuana — This National Institute on Drug Abuse Report addresses the different risks of marijuana usage, such as its effects on the brain, how it affects quality of life, addiction, and use during pregnancy. http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/Marijuana/
Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator — This web site can help you locate a substance abuse treatment facility in your area. http://www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
Tips for Teens: The Truth About Marijuana — This brochure discusses marijuana use, its long-term and short-term effects, the physical and psychological risks, and the legal implications. http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/govpubs/phd641/
What Americans Need to Know About Marijuana — This document provides critical information on the myths and misperceptions surrounding the most widely used illicit drug in America: marijuana. It also gives statistics on usage and information on social and economic consequences.
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.org/publications/pdf/mj_rev.pdf
Marijuana's Adverse Effects (Copyright © AAFP) — This publication provides information on marijuana and the health risks involved in using it. It also discusses side effects, risk of dependence, and physical effects. http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/addictions/drugs/485.html
Organizations
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Drug Enforcement Administration, DOJ
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National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, SAMHSA, HHS
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National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, HHS
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Office of National Drug Control Policy, EOP
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American Council for Drug Education
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American Lung Association
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Partnership for a Drug Free America
= Indicates Federal Resources
Content last updated March 19, 2008.
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