Marijuana is obtained from the hemp plant and is smoked in cigarettes or pipes or eaten.

The texture of marijuana may range from fine to coarse. The color may vary between grayish-green to greenish-brown.

As use of marijuana increases, the tolerance level increases, and as a result, dependence is more likely.

IMMEDIATE EFFECTS

· increased pulse rate
· impairment of short-term memory and logical thinking
· confusion
· restlessness
· excitement
· hallucinations
· anxiety or panic
· psychotic episodes
· impaired coordination
· impaired motor ability
· increased appetite
· altered perception
· impaired driving ability
· impaired ability to concentrate and learn

LONG-TERM EFFECTS

· toxic effect on brain nerve cells
· increased risk of lung cancer
· risk of chronic bronchitis
· respiratory diseases/cancer
· energy loss
· slow, confused thinking
· memory impairment
· apathy
· suppressed effects on sperm
· impaired immune system
· blood vessel blockage

PHYSICAL DISCOMFORTS

· diarrhea
· cramps
· weight loss/gain
· impaired sex drive

The marijuana user may experience a physical dependence on the drug.

If marijuana use is abruptly stopped, certain withdrawal symptoms will be experienced:

· nausea
· insomnia
· irritability
· anxiety

Although these symptoms may cause discomfort for a short time, the benefits to a person who stops using the drug greatly outweigh an addiction to marijuana.

These benefits include improved and greater enjoyment of everyday activities.

MARIJUANA AND PREGNANCY

Marijuana use during pregnancy has been associated with diminished birth weight and the presence of physical and mental characteristics similar to fetal alcohol syndrome (facial deformities, heart defects, deformed joints, low birth weight, small head).

Marijuana has also been found to cause tremors and startle response withdrawal symptoms in newborn children.

OTHER FACTS

Marijuana cigarettes contain more of the known carcinogen benzopyrene than tobacco cigarettes.

Psychological addiction to marijuana is the strongest dependence.

Addiction to marijuana can occur over a very short time period.

Marijuana and aging affect the brain in very similar ways. This places the long-time user in high risk for serious and premature memory disorders.

Marijuana smoking has been proven to have adverse effects on the female reproductive system.

The tar in a marijuana cigarette is 50-100% greater than that of tobacco.

THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, which is stored in the fat of the body, causes harm to the brain and body by causing the cells to become toxic up to 30 days after the last use.

Marijuana use has an adverse effect on the social relationships of the user due to severe mood swings and a lack of interest.

The emotional development of adolescent users may be interrupted.

Marijuana use also causes amotivational svndrome. This means that the user will lose interest in activities and lose drive and motivation.

EXTENT OF USE

Marijuana is the most extensively used illegal drug in the United States.

The 1993 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse reports that:

· 33.7% of those surveyed admitted to having tried marijuana at some point in their lifetime.
· 9% admitted to having used marijuana during the past year.
· 4.3% used the drug in the past month
· 2.4% used the drug at least once a week
· Of those 1993 seniors who were daily users, (9.6% ofthe sample), 53% began the pattern of use before the 10th grade.
· 3.1 million used the drug daily.