Marijuana Teachback

1. Marijuana
By: Nick Alecon

2. Main Points
● Definition
● Uses
● Effects
● Additional information

3. ma·ri·jua·na / merəˈ(h)wänə / noun
Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the hemp
plant, Cannabis sativa. The plant contains the mind-altering chemical
delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other related compounds. Extracts with
high amounts of THC can also be made from the cannabis plant

4. How do people use marijuana?
● Smoking
Joints, bongs, blunts, and vaporizers
● in food
brownies, cookies, or candy, or brew it as a tea

5. Marijuana Extracts
Smoking THC-rich resins extracted from the marijuana plant is on the rise. Users
call this practice dabbing. People are using various forms of these extracts, such
as:
● hash oil or honey oil—a gooey liquid
● wax or budder—a soft solid with a texture like lip balm
● shatter—a hard, amber-colored solid

6. Short-term Effects of Marijuana on brain
● THC passes from lungs to bloodstream, and the chemical is carried to brain
and other organs
● Altered sense of time
● Changes in mood
● Impaired body movement
● Difficulty thinking and problem solving
● Impaired memory(short)

7. Long-term Effects of Marijuana on brain
When marijuana users begin using as teenagers:
● The drug may reduce thinking, memory, and learning functions and affect how
the brain builds connections between the areas necessary for these
functions.
*Marijuana’s effects on these abilities may last a long time or even be permanent

8. Other health effects:
● Breathing problems
● Increased heart rate
● Child development problems during/after pregnancy
● Temporary hallucinations
● Temporary paranoia
● Worsening symptoms in patients with schizophrenia

9. Is Marijuana a gateway drug?
● Research suggests marijuana use is likely to come before use of other drugs
● Marijuana use is linked to addiction of other drugs
● Some studies suggest marijuana makes other drugs more pleasurable to the
brain
● Majority of marijuana users do not go to “harder” drugs

10. Legalization of Marijuana
● Marijuana is now legal in several states, including Massachusetts
● The legalization of Marijuana can help states flourish financially
● Legalizing marijuana allows law enforcement to focus on more severe crimes

11. A brief history of Marijuana 2016:
Marijuana
is legalized
in 27 states,
including
MA
1906: Congress
passes Pure
Food and Drug
Act. Requires
labeling of
cannabis and
amount
contained.
1930: Treasury
Dept. creates
Federal Bureau of
Narcotics
1936: Reefer
Madness is released
1937: Congress
passes Marijuana Tax
Act and marijuana is
outlawed
1944: NY Academy
of Medicine
releases “La
Guaridio Report”
which finds
marijuana use is
not negative
1956:
Congress
passes
Narcotics
Control Act
signed by
Pres.
Eisenhower
1970:
Congress
repeals most
mandatory
penalties for
drug-related
offenses
2013: Almost
half of the
States have
legalized
medical
marijuana

12. Is Marijuana addictive? Treatments?
● Marijuana may be addictive. 30% of users develop problem use, which may
lead to addiction. Those who begin using the drugs before age 18 are 4 to 7
times more likely to abuse the drug. Addiction occurs when marijuana
interferes with one’s daily life.
● Behavioral support (therapy/motivational incentives)
● No medications currently available to treat addiction to marijuana

13. Agree? Disagree?
Agree with the legalization of marijuana because funds can be focused elsewhere.
● Money made from selling Marijuana (taxation).
● Money saved from not having it criminalized ( jails, law enforcement efforts).
Disagree with marijuana seen as a gateway drug.
● Multiple people I have surveyed that smoke marijuana have never wanted to
try harder drugs (cocaine, heroin, etc) during, or after inducing marijuana.

14. ‘Jumped out at me!’
● Contrary to common belief, marijuana can be addictive.
● I did not know that marijuana was an addictive substance.
● Marijuana makes other drugs more pleasurable to the
brain

15. Work Cited
-Alliance, D. P. (2016). Marijuana legalization and regulation. Retrieved February 3, 2017,
from http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana-legalization-and-regulation
-Marijuana. (2016, March ). Retrieved February 3, 2017, from
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana
-State marijuana laws in 2016 map. (2013, August 2). Retrieved February 5, 2017, from
http://www.governing.com/gov-data/state-marijuana-laws-map-medical-recreational.html