WHAT IT IS

Marijuana is a preparation of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug, or medicine.

• Cannabis is often referred to as ‘marijuana’.
• Being the most commonly used illegal drug, it gets widespread among teenagers, and sometimes even preteens.
• The chance of Marijuana being legalized nationwide for medical and/or recreational use is rising due to states legalizing.

HOW IT’S PASSED THROUGH THE BODY

• When someone smokes Marijuana, THC is passed from the lungs to the blood streams, and the chemicals are carried to the brain by the blood and other organs of the body.
• Marijuana overworks sections of the brain that contain the highest number of these receptors, which causes the “high” for the user(s).

SHORT TERM EFFECTS

• Impaired body movement
• changes in moods
• altered senses
• difficulty with problem solving
• altered sense of time

LONG TERM EFFECTS

• Impaired brain development
• reduced ability to think, memory loss
• and learning disabilities

These effects can and may last a long time, or even be permanent. Marijuana has also been linked to depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among teens.

Information gathered from www.drugfreeworld.org.