“Just the Facts...”
Empower your children and
grandchildren by opening a dialogue
with them about marijuana.
What is marijuana?
Marijuana generally refers to the
dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds,
and flowers of the Cannabis
Sativa plant. This mixture typically
is green, brown, or gray in color and
resembles the appearance of tobacco. The major mind-altering chemical in Cannabis is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol).
How long does marijuana stay in
your body?
The speed at which marijuana leaves
your body depends on
several
factors including the speed of your
metabolism, the potency of the
THC, and the amount of marijuana
you smoke. Most commonly, traces
of marijuana can stay in your saliva
for up to three days, urine for up to
30 days, and your hair for up to 90
days.
Is marijuana addictive?
Marijuana can be addictive. Not
everyone who uses marijuana
becomes addicted, but some users
do develop signs of dependance.
One study found that people who
had used marijuana before the age
of seventeen were more likely to use
other drugs and develop addiction
problems later on.
by Pam Smith
Reprinted by permission
Amac Advantage
Does driving under the
influence of marijuana
affect driving abilities?
Yes. Even low does of marijuana
can impair driving motor skills. The
drug significantly affects judgment,
coordination, concentration and
sense of time.
Be Informed
Marijuana affects your brain. THC
(the active ingredient in marijuana) affects the nerve cells in the part
of the brain where memories are
formed.
Marijuana affects your ability to
excel in life. Even at lower doses,
marijuana impairs attention and
coordination and affects the way the
mind processes information.
Marijuana can negatively impact
your athletic, academic, and work
performance. It can add difficulty to
your life while taking away the ability to care about and rectify it.
Marijuana affects your health.
Marijuana smoke deposits four
times more tar in the lungs and contains 50-70% more cancer-causing
substances than tobacco smoke does.
Heavy marijuana use also has been
linked with depression,
anxiety,
and personality disturbances.
Marijuana is not always what
it seems. Marijuana can be laced
with substances such as PCP, formaldehyde, or codeine cough syrup
without your knowledge. “Blunts”
- hollowed-out cigars filled with
marijuana - sometimes have crack
cocaine added.
Before You Risk It...
Know the law
Marijuana use is illegal for people
under 21. It is important to note that
state marijuana laws do not change
the fact that using marijuana continues to be an offense under Federal
law. If you choose to use, the consequences to you (your teen) could be
dramatic -- legally, financially, reputation-wise, and time-wise.
Know the dangers
Marijuana affects brain development, and when it is used heavily by
young people, its effects on thinking
and memory may last a long time
or even be permanent. Regular
marijuana use - once a week or more
- actually changes the
structure
of the teenage brain, specifically
in areas dealing with memory and
problem solving. Short-term effects
of marijuana use include memory loss, distorted perception, trouble
with thinking and problem-solving,
and anxiety.
Know the signs
How can your grandchild tell if a
friend is using marijuana? One or
more of the following may be a sign:
• Seeming dizzy and having
trouble walking
• Having red, bloodshot eyes
• Having a hard time remembering things that just happened
• acting silly for no apparent
reason
Sources: www.sdrg.org,
www.drugabuse.gov,