Parents 360 Marijuana What is Marijuana Marijuana is

Parents 360 Marijuana

What is Marijuana? • Marijuana is the most commonly abused illicit drug in Arizona. • It is a dry, shredded green, brown or gray mix of flowers, stems, seeds and leaves from the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. • The main active chemical in marijuana is delta 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC for short.

Marijuana Slang/Street Names • • Pot Ganja Herb Weed Mary Jane Grass Chronic • And more than 200 others • Different strains of marijuana have their own “brand” names

How is it Abused? • Marijuana is usually smoked – As a cigarette (joint) – In a pipe or water pipe (bong) – In “blunts, ” which are cigars that are hollowed out and refilled with a mixture of marijuana and tobacco • Marijuana can be mixed in food or brewed as a tea medibles • Marijuana can be combined with other drugs such as PCP

What it looks like

New Trends - Dabbing • • • Hash oil Budder Honey Oil Wax or Ear Wax Smoked in oil rig 1 dab = 5 joints* *420 times. com

New Trends – Vaporizers

Vaporizers

Arizona’s Story Ever Used Marijuana • 1 out of 6 8 th graders • 1 out of 3 10 th graders • Nearly half (45%) 12 th graders Arizona Youth Survey, 2012

Arizona’s Story Used in the past 30 days • 1 out of 13 8 th graders • 1 out of 7 10 th graders • 1 out of 5 12 th graders Arizona Youth Survey, 2012

What is the average of first marijuana use in AZ? 13 Why is this important? Arizona Youth Survey, 2012

The Brain is Uniquely Vulnerable During Adolescence • Early use is associated with the most significant impairment • Persistent marijuana users show neuropsychological decline from childhood to midlife* National Academy of Sciences E 2657 -2664, 2012

Marijuana effects the brain • THC effects specific parts of the brain called cannabinoid receptors • The parts of the brain that have the most cannabinoid receptors influence: – – Pleasure Memory, thinking and concentration Sensory and time perception Coordinated movement National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2010

Short-term Effects • Marijuana intoxication cause: – Reduced inhibition – Distorted perceptions – Impaired coordination – Difficulty with thinking and problem solving – Interferes with learning and memory – Can make driving dangerous – Causes increased heart rate http: //www. nida. nih. gov/infofacts/marijuana. html

Marijuana Effects – After the Euphoria • Sleepy • Depressed • Occasionally marijuana use may produce – Anxiety – Fear – Distrust – Panic

Long Term Effects and Addiction • Effects on body/health after long-term use: – Ability to do complex tasks could be compromised – Negative impact on pursuit of life goals – Can contribute to lung damage http: //www. nida. nih. gov/infofacts/marijuana. html

Marijuana is Addictive • Studies tell us – About nine percent of users become addicted to marijuana – Higher for those who start in their teens (17 percent or 1 out of 6) – Even higher among daily users (25 -50 percent)

Marijuana Withdrawal • Similar to nicotine withdrawal – Irritability – Sleeping difficulties – Craving – Anxiety – Increase aggression on psychological tests, peaking 1 week after they last used the drug

Marijuana and IQ IQ Proceedings from the National Academy of Sciences Vol. 109 no: 40

Marijuana and Other Drugs PATS, 2011

22 Use vs. Perceived Risk 38 37 20 36 18 35 16 34 33 14 32 12 10 31 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 10 th Grader Perception of Great Risk of Occasional Use, MTF, 2010 30 USE RISK

Marijuana Potency

Treatment Admissions per 100, 000 population, TEDS, SAMHSA, 2010 MARIJUANA ADMISSIONS TOTAL ADMISSIONS Marijuana Treatment Admissions

Media & Marijuana

Legalization = Access • One of the biggest risk factors for youth drug use is availability • 32, 000* Arizona youth would be more likely to try pot if it is legalized in our state *Arizona Youth Survey, 2012, Partnership Attitude Tracking Survey, 2012

Where kids get it • • Friends Parties Family and Friends About 1 out of 10 get marijuana from someone with a medical marijuana card Arizona Criminal Justice Commission 2012

Medical Marijuana • There is no medical grade marijuana – The marijuana sold in a dispensary is the same marijuana sold on the street and carries the same health risks • Marijuana has not gone through the FDA process that every other medication has • Marijuana is recommended not prescribed

In Summary • Adolescence is a critical period for brain development • Adolescents are prone to risk taking • Marijuana has profound effects on brain development • Protecting our kids from marijuana use is crucial. We must take action!

Talking with your kids about Marijuana • Focus on one goal: You do not want them to use. • Stick to simple, straightforward arguments: – Marijuana makes it harder for your brain to make good decisions – Marijuana reduces motivation, increases impulsivity – For some people, once they start using marijuana, they can’t or won’t stop – Marijuana can keep you from doing and being your best

Issues Related to Marijuana Legalization, comparisons to alcohol and medical marijuana are all worthwhile topics, but they are distractions from the main point: You don’t want them to use.

“Did you use? ” • If yes, don’t lie; but don’t tell “war stories. ” Focus on your child’s future decisions. • Circle back to your primary messages: “It was harder to make good decisions, stay motivated and decide not to use. ” • If you didn’t use, discuss how you saw others act.

Thank You If your child needs help with marijuana use call the toll free helpline at 1 -855 -378 -4373