Marijuana VocabularyMatch the word to the correct

definition

A drug, which when used, may lead to the use of more addictive substances.

Gateway Drug (B)

A semisolid substance that comes from the sap of some plants and trees. It is used in varnishes, paints, adhesives, inks and medicines.

Resin (J)

Added a small amount of a substance to food or drink.

Laced (E)

An inflammation of the windpipe ‘s two branches that carry air into the lungs

Bronchitis (A)

Consists of all the organs and processes in the body that protects a person from illness and infection.

Immune System (D)

Existing or happening during pregnancy but before childbirth

Prenatal (I)

Having a temporary false feeling of happiness, with reduced physical and mental control, by use of alcohol or a drug.

High (C)

In a non-pregnant woman, the discharge of blood and other material from the lining of the uterus about once a month

Menstrual Cycle (F)

The natural or developed ability to resist the effects of the continued or increasing use of a drug.

Tolerance (L)

The passage formed by the mouth, nose, throat, and lungs through which air passes during breathing

Respiratory Tract (K)

The strength of something such as a drug or alcoholic beverage.

Potency (H)

The truth about Marijuana

www.drugfreeworld.org

What is Marijuana Marijuana is used to describe the

dried flowers, seeds and leaves of the Indian Hemp plant.

Hashish is the related form of the drug made from the resins of the Indian Hemp plant› Hashish is 6 times stronger than

marijuana

Cannabis describes any of the different drugs that come from the Indian Hemp plant

Marijuana and Hashish are considered hallucinogens› “THC” is the chemical the causes the

distortion.› The actual amount of THC may vary in

any given batch of marijuana but overall the percentage has increased.

How is it used? Marijuana is the most common illegally

smoked drug in the world 14.4 million Americans smoked

marijuana at least once during the previous month in the 2007 national drug survey

Methods› Cigarette

Joint› Pipe› Blunt

Cigars are opened up and the tobacco is replaced with marijuana

› The least common ways is mixed in with food and eaten or brewed as a tea

› Can be laced with more powerful drugs

The user feels the affects within minutes of smoking a joint

The immediate sensations are › Increased heart rate› Lessened coordination and balance› “Dreamy” unreal state of mind

The immediate sensations peak within 30 minutes and wear off between 2 and 3 hours depending on how much the user takes and the potency of THC and other drugs

Impact on the lungs› Typical smoker inhales and holds the

smoke longer than a cigarette› Causes discomfort in the chest› One joint gives just as much exposure to

the cancer producing chemicals as smoking 5 cigarettes

Mental consequences› Poorer memories and mental aptitude› Structural damage to the brain

Marijuana’s Background The Indian Hemp plant was initially grown to use

as a hallucinogen more than 2000 years ago Cannabis contains over 400 chemicals but THC

is the main one. The factors that determine the amount of THC in

the plant are the weather and soil primarily. In 1974 the THC level was 1%. In 1994 the level

was raised to 4%. The highest amount was in 2008 at 9.6%

The THC levels in sinsemilla, another form of cannabis, were from 7.5% to 24%

International Statistics 158.8 million people around the world have used

marijuana. According to the 2007 drug survey there were 2.1

million people who used marijuana for the first time that year

In 2007, 6.7% of 12-17 yr olds were current marijuana users

In 2000 $10.5 Billion was spent on marijuana 40% of males tested positive for marijuana at the

time of their arrest Next to alcohol, marijuana is the 2nd most

frequently found substance in the bodies of drivers involved in fatal car accidents

The harmful effects of Marijuana Immediate effects

› Rapid heart beat› Disorientation› Lack of physical coordination› Depression or sleepiness

THC remains in the body for weeks or longer Marijuana smoke contains 50% to 70% more

cancer-causing substance than tobacco smoke Long term smokers often suffer from bronchitis Heavy marijuana use has been connected brain

abnormalities› Can see changes in the brain similar to those who

abuse other major drugs

For males, the structure of the sperm cells can become deformed causing sterility

For females, their menstrual cycle can be affected

Hereditary defects› Abnormal cell division

Children are affected by:› Reduced initiative› Lessened abilities to concentrate› Less likely to pursue life goals

Prenatal use causes› Birth defects› Mental abnormalities› Increased risk of leukemia

What are the short term effects?› Sensory distortion› Panic› Anxiety› Poor coordination of movement› Lowered reaction time› After an initial “up”, the user feels

sleepy or depressed› Increased heartbeat (risk of heart

attack

What are the long term effects?› Reduced resistance to common illnesses› Suppression of the immune system› Growth disorders› Increase of abnormally structured cells in the

body› Reduction of male sex hormones› Rapid destruction of lung fibers and lesions to

the brain could be permanent› Reduced sexual capacity› Study difficulties› Apathy, drowsiness, lack of motivation› Personality and mood changes› inability to understand things clearly

On the Road to Drug Abuse Because a tolerance builds up,

marijuana can lead users to consume stronger drugs to achieve the same high

Vast majority of cocaine users (99.9%) began by first using a “gateway drug” like marijuana, cigarettes, or alcohol.

Not every user goes to a harder drug, some never do and some just quit