1. Marijuana: Myths and Reality Office of Health Education and Promotion Health Services University of New Hampshire www.unh.edu/health-services Facebook/Twitter: UNHHealth

2. Myth: It’s just pot…it’s not a real drug. Reality: Marijuana is a real drug. Beyond being illegal it has real physical and mental side effects that effect people in a variety of ways. People who smoke marijuana once per week or more: Experience more chest colds, bronchitis, emphysema and bronchial asthma. Issues with organization, motivation, short-term memory and compromised decision making. People build a tolerance to marijuana requiring them to smoke more to feel the same effects and look to smoke more often.

3. Myth: Marijuana is safe because it grows naturally. Reality: Many drugs originate from plants, that doesn’t make them safe. Marijuana’s active ingredient is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), which is a powerful hallucinogen. Marijuana also contains more than 400 other chemicals, many of which are carcinogens.

4. Myth: A few marijuana joints now and then won’t hurt me. I don’t smoke cigarettes. Reality: People who smoke marijuana, even if they don’t smoke cigarettes are at an increased risk for many health problems, including: Increased risk for mouth and esophageal cancers, and possibly lung cancer. Increased risk for emphysema. Reduced immune system.

5. Myth: I’m expected to experiment in college. It will be different when I graduate. Reality: Marijuana can affect many things today that will affect the future, like grades and legal issues. A few things to think about: Being convicted of possession of marijuana can risk opportunities in college like financial aid, study abroad and internships. Many employers today look at Facebook and other social networking sites, and will do background checks to look for arrest records, etc. Many employers drug test employees, even interns. Marijuana can show up as a positive drug test for up to 30 days after smoking. People who smoke pot can have memory, math and verbal skill affected for even 24 hours after smoking.

6. Myth: Marijuana is not addictive so I don’t have to worry, I can stop anytime. Reality: People can become both physically and psychologically dependent on marijuana. More than 100,000 people in the US seek out treatment specifically for marijuana dependence. People will often experience mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms like sleeplessness, anxiety, anger, stomach and digestive issues, increased sweating, and vivid (colorful) dreams.

7. Ask yourself these twelve questions to determine whether marijuana is a problem in your life, or in a friend’s life… Has smoking pot stopped being fun? Do you ever get high alone? Is it hard for you to imagine a life without marijuana? Do you find that your friends are determined by your marijuana use? Do you smoke marijuana to avoid dealing with your problems?

8. 6. Do you smoke pot to cope with your feelings? Does marijuana use let you live in a privately defined world? Have you ever failed to keep promises you made about cutting down or controlling your dope smoking? 9. Has your use of marijuana caused problems with memory, concentration, or motivation? 10. When your stash is nearly empty, do you feel anxious or worried about how to get more? 11. Do you plan your life around your marijuana use? 12. Have friends or relatives ever complained that your pot smoking is damaging your relationship with them?

9. If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, there may be a problem with pot. Marijuana Anonymous at:http://www.ma-online.org

10. For more information, tips on how to reduce or quit or to get support (for you or a friend) contact: Office of Health Education and Promotion Health Services (603) 862-3823 http://www.unh.edu/health- services