The Real Facts About Marijuana: Information for Teens

1. The Real Facts About Marijuana: Information for Teens

2. What is Marijuana? • Also called “pot, grass, reefer, weed, herb, or MJ” • Greenish-gray mixture of the dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of Cannabis sativa—the hemp plant • Primary chemical is Delta 9 – tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

3. Myths About Marijuana Marijuana is safe to use because it’s a plant. FACT: • Not all plants are safe to smoke or ingest. • Oleander, Ficus, and Lily of the Valley are just a few of the hundreds of plants that are poisonous. www.livescience.com • Heroin, cocaine, cyanide and strychnine are all harmful substances made from plants. Human Relations Media: Gateway Drugs and Beyond

4. Today’s Marijuana – THC Content 1960’s - 1970’s was 1-4% Today up to 40% John Underwood Life of an Athlete

5. Short-Term Effect Why does smoking marijuana redden the eyes? A few minutes after inhaling marijuana smoke, the heart rate speeds up, the bronchial passages relax and become enlarged, and blood vessels in the eyes expand, making the eyes look red. NIDA

6. MarijuanaPotential Short-Term Effects Distorts perception of reality Impairs short-term memory Paranoia/Panic Attacks Risky/Irresponsible behavior Concentration & learning problems Loss of physical & mental motivation Dry mouth & throat Difficulty keeping track of time Increased appetite Impairs coordination and balance NIDA

7. MarijuanaPotential Long-Term Effects • Increased tolerance • Addiction • Increased risk of depression, suicidal thoughts • Increased appetite and weight gain • Weakened immune system • Respiratory problems • Increased risk of cancer NIDA

8. Myths About Marijuana Marijuana is Not Addictive FACT:Marijuana is addictive. The National Institutes of Health found that the EARLIER marijuana use begins, the HIGHER the risk of drug abuse and addiction. • 62 % of teens in drug treatment are addicted to marijuana.ONDCP • Each year, more teens enter treatment with a primary diagnosis of marijuana addiction than for all other illegal drugs combined. Partnership for a Drug-Free America

9. Why Are Drugs So Hard to Quit? Video One

10. Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms Symptoms are similar in type and severity to those of nicotine withdrawal: • irritability • sleeping difficulties • anxiety • craving Symptoms peak a few days after marijuana use has stopped. Withdrawal symptoms can make it hard for someone to quit using marijuana. NIDA - Marijuana – Facts for Teens

11. Marijuana "Opens the Door" “Using alcohol, marijuana, and/or tobacco regularly, especially during the teen years, can open the door to the use of other drugs, including cocaine, LSD, heroin, and to prescription drug abuse during their lifetime.” ONDCP

12. Anyone Can Become Addicted to Drugs Video Two

13. Marijuana & Your Body • THC (Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) is rapidly absorbed by fatty tissues in various organs, including the brain. • THC is released very slowly in the body over time. NIDA

14. How long does THC stay in your system?

15. How long can THC be detected? Detection Time for Marijuana use: 1 time use: 5 - 8 days 2-4x per month: 11 - 18 days 2-4x per week: 23 - 35 days 5-6x per week: 33 - 48 days Daily Use: 49 - 63 days John Underwood Life of an Athlete

16. Marijuana & Your Body Marijuana use can negatively affect: The Heart • Increased heart rate of 20 – 100% that could last up to 3 hours • 4.8x greater risk of heart attack in the first hour after smoking NIDA

17. Marijuana & Your Body Marijuana use can negatively affect: The Lungs • Marijuana smoke contains 50 – 70% more cancer causing chemicals than tobacco smoke. • Use can create respiratory problems (cough, phlegm, acute chest illnesses, greater risk of lung infection) over time. NIDA

18. Can Marijuana Use During Pregnancy Harm the Baby? Babies exposed to marijuana before birth are more likely to show decreased problem solving skills, memory, and the ability to pay attention in school. Schempf and Strobino 2008

19. Why Do Teens Use Marijuana? Pressure from friends Boredom To Experiment Influence of media To “fit in” To rebel To deal with feelings CuriosityBelieve it’s safe NIDA

20. Guide to the Teen Brain Video Three

21. The Teen Brain & Decision Making Prefrontal Cortex • Decision Making Center • “Brake Center” - controls impulses • Last part of the brain to develop (usually in the early to mid 20’s) SCHOLASTIC, NIDA, NIH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HHS

22. Marijuana: Effects on Brain Activity Simple Hand Movement NON-USER MARIJUANA USER Amen Clinic

23. The Teen Brain & Memory • The hippocampus is the part of the brain that forms memories. • The THC in marijuana negatively affects how the hippocampus processes information and forms memories. NIDA .

24. The Teen Brain & Marijuana SCHOLASTIC, NIDA, NIH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HHS

25. Marijuana & Mental Health • Marijuana use can worsen depression and lead to other serious mental health issues, e.g. schizophrenia, anxiety, and suicide. • Weekly use of marijuana DOUBLES a teen’s risk of depression and anxiety. NIDA

26. Academic Performance Marijuana Use • Negatively affects learning A teen who uses is 4 times more likely to report “D” grades. SAMHSA • Is linked to higher dropout rates A teenage marijuana user is 2 times more likely to drop out of school than a non-user. NIDA

27. Myths About Marijuana Marijuana is Harmless FACT:Marijuana use can: • lead to many health, social, learning, and behavioral problems at an important developmental time, the teen years • negatively affect judgment, resulting in poor decisions related to sex, criminal activity, driving under the influence, etc. ONDCP

28. Marijuana use can close the door to your future!

29. Employment Marijuana Use • Many companies, industries, and professions require drug testing to be hired and/or drug testing while employed. CADCA • Job applications often ask if someone has ever been convicted of a crime or has a case pending, including drug related offenses. Employment Screening Resources

30. College Admission Marijuana Convictions must be reported on college applications Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense (including in juvenile court) other than a minor traffic violation, or are there criminal charges pending against you at this time? Yes No Oakland University Undergrad Application

31. Financial Aid & College Scholarships Marijuana Conviction • 1 in 400 students (over 40,000) nationwide, is denied federal financial aid because of a drug conviction. • Scholarships can be denied or discontinued because of a drug conviction. College Students, Arrests, and Financial Aid Guide

32. “EVERYBODY gets high” ...NOT!

33. Michigan Youth Risk Behavior Survey (2011)

34. Myths About Marijuana Smoking marijuana doesn’t affect driving ability FACT: • Even a small amount of marijuana decreases the ability to drive. • Use affects alertness, concentration, perception, coordination and reaction time. • 17% (1 in 5) of crash victims under the age of 18 tested positive for marijuana. ONDCP ONDCP

35. Legal Consequences in Michigan Possession of Marijuana Conviction • 1 year in jail and/or • $2,000 fine plus court costs • 6 month suspension of driving privileges Marijuana Use Conviction • 90 days in jail and/or • $100 fine plus court costs • 90 days suspension of driving privileges

36. Driving Privileges Marijuana Use • A marijuana conviction delays getting a driver’s license. • Marijuana use/possession results in an automatic 6 month suspension of a driver’s license - whether use/possession was in a car or not.

37. Marijuana Addiction Facts Video Four

38. Marijuana is NOT medicine • Some of the ingredients in marijuana, such as THC , have medicinal effects. • Some people get relief from symptoms of their illnesses by smoking marijuana. • However, using marijuana as medicine does not make it medicine. • It has not gone through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval process to show that its benefits outweigh its risks. SCHOLASTIC, NIDA, NIH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HHS

39. FDA: How Medicine is Approved SCHOLASTIC, NIDA, NIH, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HHS

40. Medical Marihuana • Some states, including Michigan, have allowed a vote to approve the use of marijuana for medical purposes. • There is a conflict between Federal law and the law in those states that have approved Medical Marijuana.

41. Medical Marihuana • The Federal Government considers marijuana to be a controlled substance with “no currently accepted medical use.” • Federal law states, that it’s illegal, under any circumstances, to grow, use, possess, or transport marijuana. • The manufacture, distribution, or possession of marijuana is a criminal offense, according to Federal law. CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE ACT

42. The Michigan Medical Marihuana Act • Allows doctor s to recommend (not prescribe) use by people who have certain “serious” medical conditions • Requires registration with the state to use and/or grow limited amounts of marijuana to treat their symptoms • Does not guarantee protection against federal prosecution for possession, growing, distributing, or using marijuana

43. Some Facts about Michigan’s Medical Marihuana Act Medical Marijuana use is not allowed: • While operating a car or any other motor vehicle, aircraft, or motorboat • In a public place or on any form of public transportation, including a school bus • In schools • In a correctional facility Michigan Medical Marihuana Act 2008

44. Addiction rates among 12-17 year olds are among the highest levels nationally in states that have “medical marijuana” programs. CADCA: POSITION STATEMENT ON “MEDICAL” MARIJUANA AND MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION Medical Marijuana and Teens

45. Marijuana Matters – The Facts • Any time you put drugs in your body, you risk serious physical and emotional damage. • Drug use can have a significant negative impact on your family relationships, friendships, school and athletic performance, and your future. • It’s important to find ways to manage emotions, deal with stress, and have fun without using drugs. • Most teens do not use marijuana or other drugs.