Marijuana Marijuana What is it Marijuana is a

Marijuana

Marijuana What is it? Marijuana is a mixture of dry shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. Marijuana's main active chemical is called delta-9 -tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC. About 400 other chemicals are found in marijuana, many of which can affect a persons health. Marijuana’s strength or potency is related to the amount of THC it contains. The THC content of marijuana has been increasing since the 1970’s. Street names ganga, pot, grass, cush, dope, hash, schwagg, weed, sticky

How is it used? Joint – loose marijuana rolled into a cigarette. Blunt – cigar that is hollowed out and filled with marijuana or a mixture of marijuana and tobacco. Bong – when marijuana is smoked through a water pipe. Hashish – a more concentrated, resinous form. Hashish oil – a sticky black liquid. Food or tea- marijuana can be mixed in food or brewed in tea. Marijuana smoke has a pungent and distinctive, usually sweet-and-sour odor.

Short term effects of marijuana use • Distorted perceptions • Impaired coordination • Lack of attention and focus • Difficulty with thinking and problem solving • Problems with learning and memory • Anxiety and paranoia For chronic users: Marijuana’s adverse impact on learning and memory can last for days or weeks after the acute effects of the drug wear off. Someone who smokes marijuana every day may be functioning at a suboptimal intellectual level all of the time.

Long term effects of marijuana use • Respiratory problems • Heightened risk of infections, especially the lungs • Poor short-term recall • Inability to shift attention normally • Inability to understand complex information • An increased risk of developing lung, head and neck cancers • Lack of motivation • Decreased sperm count in men • Irregular menstruation in women Addiction – compulsive drug seeking and abuse despite the known harmful effects upon functioning in the context of family, school, work, and recreational activities.

Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana It is illegal to drive a vehicle while under the influence of marijuana, alcohol, other drugs, or a combination of substances. When alcohol is involved, a blood alcohol level of 0. 08 percent of the driver's blood, by volume (or 0. 02 percent for a minor) will conclusively establish that the driver is under the influence (if the level is less, the prosecutor can still point to the driver's actions to prove that he was under the influence). When marijuana is involved, a level of one nanogram per milliliter of marijuana or its metabolites in the driver's blood, by volume, will conclusively establish that the driver is under the influence. The prosecutor will not need to present proof of impairment in the driver’s faculties. However, absent the requisite marijuana blood concentration level, the prosecutor may still point to the driver’s actions to show that the driver was under the influence. (75 Pa. Con. Stat. § 3802. ) Penalties for Driving Under the Influence Penalties vary according to whether the offense is a first of subsequent conviction. In addition to the penalties described below, the judge may order participation in a drug or alcohol abuse treatment program, a victim impact panel, and community service. (75 Pa. Con. Stat. § 3804. ) First convictions. A defendant will face a fine of between $1, 000 and $5, 000, between 72 hours and six months in jail, or both. Second conviction. Penalties include a fine of at least $1, 500, between 90 days and six months in jail, or both. Third and subsequent convictions. Penalties include a fine of at least $2, 500, at least one year in prison, or both; and license suspension for at least 18 months (to begin after release from prison).

Marijuana possession, sale, and manufacture are regulated by both state and federal law. In Pennsylvania, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I substance, which means that it has a high potential for abuse and not generally recognized medical value. (35 Pa. Con. Stat. § 780 -104. ) Marijuana Possession It is a crime to knowingly or intentionally possess marijuana in Pennsylvania. For amounts up to 30 grams, penalties include a fine of up to $500, up to 30 days in jail, or both. Convictions for possessing 30 grams or more are punishable with a fine of up to $5, 000, up to one year in jail, or both. (35 Pa. Con. Stat. § 780 -113. ) Manufacture and Distribution Manufacturing or distributing marijuana (or possessing marijuana with the intent to do so) in Pennsylvania is illegal. Penalties vary according to the amount made or distributed, and whether the marijuana was sold or given away without compensation. Increased penalties apply when the sale was to a minor. (35 Pa. Con. Stat. § 780 -113. ) Up to 30 grams without compensation. Penalties include a fine of up to $500, up to 30 days in jail, or both. Selling up to 1, 000 pounds. Penalties include a fine of between $5, 000 and $25, 000, between one and three years in prison, or both. Selling more than 1, 000 pounds. Penalties include a fine of between up to $100, 000, up to ten years in prison, or both. Drug Paraphernalia It is illegal in Pennsylvania to manufacture, advertise, or sell drug paraphernalia (or possess paraphernalia with the intent to do so). Paraphernalia includes items used in growing, harvesting, processing, selling, storing, or using marijuana. Penalties include a fine of up to $2, 500, up to one year in jail, or both. Selling paraphernalia to a minor who is at least three years younger than the seller incurs increased penalties. These include a fine of up to $5, 000, up to two years in prison, or both. (35 Pa. Con. Stat. § 780 -113. )