Truth or Consequences Effects of Marijuana Use MARIJUANA

Truth or Consequences? Effects of Marijuana Use

MARIJUANA IS HARMLESS BECAUSE IT IS NATURAL. FACT CHECK Many drugs are derived from plants: Tobacco – Tobacco Plant Cocaine – Coca Plant Heroin – Poppy Plant All of these plants are natural – None of these drugs are harmless.

Smoking marijuana weakens the immune system. FACT CHECK Smoking marijuana suppresses the body’s immune system. Marijuana smokers are more susceptible to illness and infections.

Marijuana use makes users less motivated. FACT CHECK Marijuana use causes “amotivational syndrome” Users can lose interest in activities, school, work, personal hygiene and life in general.

Marijuana is not addictive. FACT CHECK Addiction can be psychological or physiological. Emotionally and mentally, users feel the need to “be high”. Heavy users can experience withdrawal symptoms without regular use.

The marijuana used by actors in movies and music videos is real. FACT CHECK Hollywood spends a lot of money making fake vampires and aliens look real – same for drugs.

Marijuana bought from a dealer is pure and contains no other substances. FACT CHECK Marijuana dealers often secretly lace the drug with other substances including chemicals found in bug spray, LSD and cocaine.

Marijuana use affects a person’s ability to safely drive a vehicle. FACT CHECK Marijuana negatively affects a driver’s attentiveness and perception of time and speed. Marijuana impairs judgement and motor coordination and slows reaction time. Users have an increased chance of being involved in a collision.

Marijuana can cause forgetfulness. FACT CHECK THC- tetra-hydro-cannabinol connects to brain receptors that affect memory. Users can experience difficulty with short term memory.

Marijuana use suppresses the appetite. FACT CHECK THC increases appetite – causes the “munchies” Increased appetite often results in weight gain.

Marijuana does not lead to the use of other drugs. FACT CHECK Marijuana is known as a “GATEWAY DRUG”. Use often leads to the use of other drugs including cocaine, ecstasy, prescription drugs and heroin.

Marijuana smoke is safe. FACT CHECK The smoke from marijuana contains the cancer causing substances found in tobacco. The heat alone from a marijuana joint can heat 50 cigarettes.

Marijuana does not affect athletic performance. FACT CHECK Marijuana affects: -timing -movement -depth perception -coordination

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Marijuana users have an increased risk for depression and schizophrenia. FACT CHECK Marijuana has been proved to have a strong correlation to depression, early onset schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.

A parent’s negative attitude toward marijuana use has the most influence over a teen’s decision not to use it. FACT CHECK Most powerful influence in a teen’s life. Studies show marijuana use is lowest among teens whose parents strongly disapprove.

Marijuana users always know what to expect when they use the drug. FACT CHECK The effects are unpredictable! Marijuana affects each person differently depending on genetics, marijuana potency, experience with the drug and how it’s taken.

Marijuana use interferes with critical thinking and problem-solving. FACT CHECK THC acts on cannabinoid receptors in the brain. -normally these are activated by brain chemicals. -Marijuana over activates the system, disrupting concentration, problem solving, learning and memory.

Marijuana use impairs concentration and balance. FACT CHECK THC blocks receptors in the brain that regulate concentration and balance.

Marijuana contains a chemical that changes the way the brain works. FACT CHECK Contains THC. Like alcohol, marijuana alters the brain. Marijuana use will damage a teenage brain.

Marijuana use does not affect academic performance or achievements. FACT CHECK Students who use often: -Have lower grades -Are more likely to drop out of HS.

Marijuana use during pregnancy does not affect the developing fetus. FACT CHECK Pregnant women who use marijuana face the following possibilities: -Premature Labor -Underweight baby. -Birth defects -Mental abnormalities -increased risk of childhood leukemia.

High doses of marijuana can cause psychosis or panic attacks. FACT CHECK Studies have shown that users experience an acute psychotic reaction or intense panic attacks while under the influence.

K 2 or Spice is safer than marijuana because it’s “fake weed”. FACT CHECK Synthetic marijuana is essentially poison with unpredictable effects. Side effects include: -vomiting -confusion -hallucinations -heart attack -sudden death

Smoking marijuana slows the heart rate, so it’s relaxing. FACT CHECK Marijuana increases the heart rate 20 -50% shortly after smoking. This effect can last up to 3 hours. The increased heart rate can reduce blood supply to the heart and cause chest pain.

Marijuana use impairs short-term memory. FACT CHECK THC alters how information is processed in the hippocampus – the area responsible for memory formation.

Marijuana smoke can cause respiratory problems. FACT CHECK Consists of mixture of gases and particles that are harmful to the lungs. Regular smokers have respiratory problems such as – cough, phlegm production, frequent acute chest illness and greater risk of lung infections.