WHAT IT IS

Marijuana is the common name for the Cannabis Sativa plant. There are a host of street names including Mary Jane, Acupulco Gold, Ganja, Grass, Weed, Sinse, Bud, Thai Stick, Hemp, Mexican, Panama Red, Maui Wowie, Reefer, Pot, and numerous others. It is classified as a hallucinogen. Its common form is a grey-green to brownish-green leaf or "buds". Hash and hash oil are produced from marijuana. It is sometimes mixed with PCP for "killer weed" or "supergrass", or with opium for "OJ". It is also mixed with heroin and known as "atom bomb" or "A-bomb".

The common route of administration is by smoking. It can be hand-rolled into a "joint" or smoked through a pipe or "bong". It may be cooked or baked into foods such as brownies.

The major ingredient in Marijuana is DELTA-9 TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL (THC). Also present are a host of other Cannabinoid compounds and other chemicals which are not fully understood. THC has received some therapeutic use as a treatment for nausea in chemotheraphy patients. It has also been found to decrease ocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. Most analysis of marijuana focuses on THC because little is known about the other compounds.

Effects

Users may experience feelings of contentment and relaxation. This may be accompanied by loss of inhibition, bouts of laughter, continuous talking, increased sensitivity to audio and visual effects, increased sensitivity of touch, smell, taste and movement. With higher doses there may also be confusion, disorientation, reduced attention span, loss of balance and stability, loss of muscle strength, shaking, anxiety, and paranoia.

WHAT IT DOES

To Your Mind: Distorts perception of reality.

To Your Body: Increases heart rate, lowers blood pressure, limits control of movement.

HOW IT CAN HURT YOU

Heart related effects. Asthma, bronchitis, damage to respiratory system and tissue. Reddening of eyes, change in sex drive, infertility. Changes in body temperature, hallucinations, slowed reaction time. Delusions, panic, toxic psychosis, activation of latent schizophrenia which may continue indefinitely. Amotivational syndrome, memory loss with possible permanent brain damage.

Death of self and others due to driving under the influence, especially when combined with alcohol.

Dependence can develop as a psychological craving.

Unborn children of mothers who use cannabis may develop congenital defects or experience delayed development after birth.

WHEN TO GET HELP

• Do you think about how and when you’re going to smoke again?
• Do you worry if no marijuana is available?
• Is your job or school performance affected?
• Do you spend more and more money on pot?
• Have you been stopped for driving under the influence?

One "yes" and your common sense tells you it’s time to get smart about drugs and the rest of your life.

Fact: Cannabis is the most abused psychoactive drug by students, after alcohol.