MarijuanaMarijuana

Lesson #2Lesson #2

Pg. 598Pg. 598

Seattle WashingtonApproved recreation use on 12-7-12

StatisticsStatistics Marijuana is considered a possible Marijuana is considered a possible

gateway drug.gateway drug. Studies have shown that a teen who uses Studies have shown that a teen who uses

marijuana is 15 times more likely to use marijuana is 15 times more likely to use cocaine when compared to someone who cocaine when compared to someone who never used marijuana.never used marijuana.

Rate of emergency room visits involving Rate of emergency room visits involving Marijuana use in 2006 is 96,000 peopleMarijuana use in 2006 is 96,000 people

1 in 6 teens reported driving under the 1 in 6 teens reported driving under the influence of marijuanainfluence of marijuana

Glencoe Health 2011Glencoe Health 2011

What is MarijuanaWhat is Marijuana

Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds and flowers of the stems, seeds and flowers of the hemp plant (cannabis plant).hemp plant (cannabis plant).

The chemical THC is the ingredient The chemical THC is the ingredient that typically makes a marijuana that typically makes a marijuana user high.user high.

What effects do uses What effects do uses experienceexperience

The Chemical THC raises levels of the The Chemical THC raises levels of the brain chemical dopamine (pleasure brain chemical dopamine (pleasure feeling). In some users, the drug feeling). In some users, the drug triggers the release of so much triggers the release of so much dopamine that a feeling of intense dopamine that a feeling of intense will-being or elation (great joy) is will-being or elation (great joy) is reached. Other may feel relaxation reached. Other may feel relaxation and reduced inhibitions.and reduced inhibitions.

THC continuedTHC continued

In 2009, THC concentrations in marijuana In 2009, THC concentrations in marijuana averaged close to 10 percent, compared averaged close to 10 percent, compared to around 4 percent in the 1980s. For a to around 4 percent in the 1980s. For a new user, this may mean exposure to new user, this may mean exposure to higher concentrations of THC, with a higher concentrations of THC, with a greater chance of an adverse or greater chance of an adverse or unpredictable reaction. Increases in unpredictable reaction. Increases in potency may account for the rise in potency may account for the rise in emergency department visits involving emergency department visits involving marijuana usemarijuana use

http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuanahttp://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana

AddictionAddiction There is increasing evidence that marijuana There is increasing evidence that marijuana

is addicting. Marijuana raises levels of is addicting. Marijuana raises levels of dopamine in the brain (pleasure chemical). dopamine in the brain (pleasure chemical).

When dopamine levels wear off (drops), When dopamine levels wear off (drops), often dramatically, the experience is know often dramatically, the experience is know as a crash.as a crash.

Even when users recognized that it was Even when users recognized that it was causing problems in their lives, they still causing problems in their lives, they still continued using.continued using.

When heavy users stop using, they When heavy users stop using, they experience withdraw symptoms. experience withdraw symptoms.

Addiction continuedAddiction continued Contrary to common belief, marijuana is Contrary to common belief, marijuana is

addictive. Estimates from research suggest that addictive. Estimates from research suggest that about:about:

9 percent of users become addicted to 9 percent of users become addicted to marijuana; marijuana;

this number increases among those who start this number increases among those who start young (to about 17 percent, or 1 in 6) and among young (to about 17 percent, or 1 in 6) and among daily users (to 25-50 percent). daily users (to 25-50 percent).

Thus, many of the nearly 7 percent of high-school Thus, many of the nearly 7 percent of high-school seniors who (according to annual survey data) seniors who (according to annual survey data) report smoking marijuana daily or almost daily report smoking marijuana daily or almost daily are well on their way to addiction, if not already are well on their way to addiction, if not already addicted.addicted.

http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuanahttp://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana

How is it usedHow is it used

Marijuana is usually smoked as a Marijuana is usually smoked as a cigarette (joint) or in a pipe or bong.cigarette (joint) or in a pipe or bong.

How long does it stay in the bodyHow long does it stay in the body

THC is strongly absorbed by fatty THC is strongly absorbed by fatty tissue in various organs. Traces of tissue in various organs. Traces of THC can be detected in standard THC can be detected in standard urine testing several days after a urine testing several days after a smoking session. However, in smoking session. However, in chronic heavy users, it can be chronic heavy users, it can be detected for weeks after they have detected for weeks after they have stopped.stopped.

Mental / Emotional Mental / Emotional ConsequencesConsequences

Slowed mental reflexesSlowed mental reflexes May suffer sudden feelings of anxiety and May suffer sudden feelings of anxiety and

paranoiaparanoia HallucinationsHallucinations Difficulty remembering events that just Difficulty remembering events that just

happened (problems with learning)happened (problems with learning) http://www.mcri.edu.au/news/2012/august/adolescents-most-at-risk-of-brain-damage-

from-long-term,-heavy-cannabis-use/ (article) (article)

Problems at work or school may developProblems at work or school may develop Trouble with thinking and problem solving.Trouble with thinking and problem solving. Loss of coordination and concentrationLoss of coordination and concentration http://www.cnn.com/video/#/

video/bestoftv/2012/11/08/exp-jvm-pot-legalization.hln (VIDEO CLIP) (VIDEO CLIP)

Physical Consequences (pg 599)Physical Consequences (pg 599) For males: interferes with sperm production and For males: interferes with sperm production and

lowers levels of testosterone.lowers levels of testosterone. For females: an increase in testosterone levels For females: an increase in testosterone levels

and can lead to infertility. and can lead to infertility. Pregnant females: increased risk of stillbirths and Pregnant females: increased risk of stillbirths and

birth defects.birth defects. Lung irritation and coughingLung irritation and coughing Heart and lung damage.Heart and lung damage. Weakened Immune system Weakened Immune system Weight gainWeight gain A few hours after use, the person may become A few hours after use, the person may become

very sleepy; which can be very dangerous if very sleepy; which can be very dangerous if operating a vehicle.operating a vehicle.

Controversial Research on CancerControversial Research on Cancer Donald Tashkin, a professor of pulmonology at UCLA's David Geffin

School of Medicine, If they smoked a small or moderate amount there was no increased risk, in fact slightly less than one. But if they were in the upper third of the group, then their risk was six-fold.

http://www.alternet.org/drugs/media-ignored-experts-shocking-findings-marijuana-helps-prevent-lung-cancer-now-its-med-school (article)(article)

Dr. Stefan Kertesz, is an associate professor of preventive medicine at the University of Alabama at Birgmingham. Kertesz said smoking marijuana irritates the airways, triggers cough and phlegm production, and could be especially dangerous for asthmatics. Also, since the participants were originally enrolled in a heart study, the researchers couldn't determine how many got lung cancer.

"So don't assume that there is 'no' risk no matter who you are," Kertesz said. http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/Smoking/30593 (Video)

Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency medicine physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, told CBS News in an email, "while casual marijuana use may not reflect an immediate decrease in lung function, marijuana smoke contains high levels of tar, which is bad for your health."

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57356379-10391704/is-smoking-marijuana-bad-for-your-lungs/ (article) (article)

Controversial research Controversial research continuedcontinued

Smoking One Joint is Equivalent to 20 Cigarettes, according to a group of scientists in New Zealand.

 http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,326309,00.html (article) (article)

In addition to the possible effects on your brain, In addition to the possible effects on your brain, smoking marijuana may also be hazardous to your smoking marijuana may also be hazardous to your developing lungs. Marijuana smoke contains 50% developing lungs. Marijuana smoke contains 50% to 70% more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than to 70% more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke.tobacco smoke.4141 http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/facts/drugsmarijuana (article) (article)

Marijuana smoke contains more cancer-causing Marijuana smoke contains more cancer-causing chemicals than tobacco smoke.chemicals than tobacco smoke.

Glencoe Health, 2011Glencoe Health, 2011

Recognizing a marijuana userRecognizing a marijuana user

Bloodshot eyesBloodshot eyes Odor on clothes or breathOdor on clothes or breath Increased appetite or craving foodIncreased appetite or craving food Silliness or laughter for no reasonSilliness or laughter for no reason Lack of concentrationLack of concentration Forgetfulness Forgetfulness

Signs continuedSigns continued

Bouts of depressionBouts of depression FatigueFatigue Decline in personal groomingDecline in personal grooming Decline in schoolDecline in school Withdrawal from family membersWithdrawal from family members Personality changesPersonality changes Unexplained disappearance of Unexplained disappearance of

money or possessionsmoney or possessions

CLASS DEBATECLASS DEBATEShould Illinois Legalize medical Should Illinois Legalize medical

marijuana?marijuana?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s1I0gY0MdUv=5s1I0gY0MdU

http://www.wgntv.com/videogallery/http://www.wgntv.com/videogallery/73464639/News/Burning-debate-of-73464639/News/Burning-debate-of-medical-marijuanamedical-marijuana

Medical Marijuana without the high:Medical Marijuana without the high: http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=0U6fthLDrXgv=0U6fthLDrXg