Marijuana comes from the cannabis plant. Smoking marijuana can have various psychological and physical effects on the body and brain depending on how much a person uses. Heavy marijuana use has been linked to increased cancer risk and decreased testosterone in men. Marijuana use can also lead to addiction and withdrawal symptoms in some users. Possession of marijuana is illegal under Louisiana law and carries penalties such as fines and jail time depending on the amount possessed.

1. DRUGS: MARJUANA
What you don’t know……
Effects on the Brain & Body

2. ABOUT MARJUANA
 comes from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa
 the most frequently used illegal drug in the
U.S.

3. SIGNS OF USING MARIJUANA INCLUDE:
 Rapid heart rate
 Increased blood pressure
 Increased rate of breathing
 Red eyes
 Dry mouth
 Increased appetite, or "the munchies"
 Slowed reaction time

4.  The risks of smoking marijuana go up with heavy use.
Although the link has never been proven, many experts
believe heavy pot smokers are at increased risk for lung
cancer.
 Heavy marijuana use lowers men's testosterone levels
and sperm count and quality. Pot could decrease libido
and fertility in some heavy-smoking men.
 Contrary to what many pot smokers may tell you,
marijuana is addictive, at least psychologically. Even
among occasional users, one in 12 can feel withdrawal
symptoms if they can't get high when they want to.
Among heavy pot smokers, the rates of dependence are
higher.
 Many experts also believe that marijuana is physically
addictive. Symptoms of withdrawal from pot might
include:
 Aggression
 Anxiety
 Depressed mood
 Decreased appetite

5. PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF MARIJUANA
 According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the
main effects of marijuana on mood vary and may
include euphoria, calmness, anxiety, or paranoia.
Getting high or "stoned" is the reason most pot
smokers use marijuana.
 Other short-term psychological effects of pot include:
 Distorted sense of time
 Paranoia
 Magical or "random" thinking
 Short-term memory loss
 Anxiety and depression

6. GATEWAY DRUG
 does smoking marijuana make someone more likely to try
cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, and other "hard" drugs? The jury
is still out on this one. It's true that pot smokers are more
likely to use other drugs after trying marijuana. What's not
clear is whether smoking pot causes further drug use or if
people who start smoking pot are just more likely to try
drugs in general.
 If you're wondering how long marijuana stays in your
system after smoking, it depends on how often you
smoke. Light users -- those who smoke pot once in a
while -- will have a negative drug screen after a
marijuana-free week. Heavy users -- sometimes called
"stoners" -- may continue testing positive for a month after
last smoking pot.

7. LOUISIANA MARJUANA CONVICTION
Offense Penalty Incarceration Max. Fine
Possession
Less than 60 lbs (first
offense)
not classified 6 mos $ 500
Less than 60 lbs (second
offense)
not classified 5 years $ 2,500
Less than 60 lbs
(subsequent offense)
not classified 20 years $ 5,000
60 - 2000 lbs felony 5* - 30 years $ 100,000
2000 - 10,000 lbs felony 10* - 40 years $ 400,000
More than 10,000 lbs felony 25* - 40 years $ 400,000
First and second offenders may be eligible for probation.
* Mandatory minimum sentence
Distribution or Cultivation of Marijuana
Any amount (first
offense)
not classified 5* - 30 years $ 50,000
Any amount (subsequent
offense)
not classified 10* - 60 years $ 100,000
To a minor not classified 45 - 90 years $ 75,000
Includes possession with intent to distribute
* Mandatory minimum sentence

8.  Penalty Details
 Marijuana is a schedule I(C) hallucinogenic substance under
Louisiana law.
 Possession for Personal Use
 For first offenders, possession of less than 60 pounds of marijuana is
punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or up to 6 months of
imprisonment. Second offenses are punishable by a fine of $250-
$2500 and/or up to 5 years of imprisonment. Both first and second
offenders may be eligible for probation, which will include 32 hours of
community service and a substance abuse program, the cost of
probation will be paid by the defendant. Third and subsequent
offenses are punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and/or up to 20
years of imprisonment.
 See:
 Louisiana Rev. Stat. § 40:966(E) Web Search
 Possession of 60-2,000 pounds of marijuana is a felony and is
punishable by 5-30 years of imprisonment and a fine of $50,000-
$100,000. Possession of 2,000-10,000 pounds is a felony and is
punishable by 10-40 years of imprisonment and a fine of $100,000-
$400,000. Possession of 10,000 pounds or more of marijuana is a

9. CONSEQUENCES/LOCAL CONVICTIONS
 MEDIA RELEASE
04/17/14 Charmaine Nixon convicted of Possession
with Intent to Distribute Marijuana
Charmaine Nixon (DOB: 12/27/1979) was convicted of
Possession with Intent to
Distribute Marijuana. This conviction carries a maximum
sentence of 30 years or 60
years as a second felony offender. Sentencing will be
imposed by Judge Anthony
Marabella on August 21, 2014. This conviction was
obtained by Assistant District Attorneys Kory Tauzin

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