2. What is it?
Dried leaves and flowers of cannabis plant.
Active ingredients are THC (psychoactive)
and CBD (anti-anxiety & painkiller)
THC stays in the body for several weeks
A person can be under the effects of THC
even though the “high” has worn off.
3. How is it used?
Smoked, ingested, or taken as a pill.
Used to get a feeling of calmness and/or
euphoria
Other short term effects include increased
heart-rate, reddening of the eyes,
talkativeness, and giddiness.
4. How is it used?
Some people get quiet and reflective
Nearly all users report a change in how
they perceive time.
Large doses can cause anxiety and paranoia
5. Medical Uses
Synthetic THC can:
Lessen nausea – cancer patients
Increase appetite – AIDS patients
Treat glaucoma (build up of pressure in
eyeball)
Synthetic THC produces very little euphoria
6. Effects of Marijuana Use
THE BRAIN:
Interferes with balance, posture, and
coordination
Interferes with short-term (and possibly long
term) memory
7. Effects of Marijuana Use
THE BRAIN, continued:
Alters all five senses: taste, touch, sight,
hearing, smell
Changes in emotions during withdrawal
(similar to cocaine, heroin, and alcohol
withdrawal)
8. Effects of Marijuana Use
THE LUNGS:
Marijuana leaves have more coal tar than
tobacco leaves
Increased risk of chest colds, bronchitis, and
lung cancer
Two marijuana cigarettes have the same
carcinogenic potential as a pack of regular
cigarettes
9. Effects of Marijuana Use
THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:
Decreases testosterone production
Can cause breast tissue to develop in males
10. Effects of Marijuana Use
PERSONALITY
“Amotivational syndrome” – lack of
motivation
Lethargy, lack of focus, and inability to
concentrate on future goals
Homework, graduating high school, getting a part-
time job, not showing up to hang out with friends...
11. What does it mean to “develop a
tolerance” to marijuana?
Needing more and more of a drug to get the same
effect.