Marijuana

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Protecting Our Youth: Monitoring Marijuana

 

Myth: Marijuana is not addictive

Fact: About 1 in 6 people who start smoking Marijuana in their teens   will become addicted. More young people are in treatment for marijuana dependency than for alcohol or for all other illegal drugs.

Myth: Quitting smoking marijuana is easy

Fact: Withdrawal symptoms of marijuana usage are: cravings, decreased appetite, irritability, anxiety, stomach pain, aggression, difficulty sleeping. Some may be severe.

Myth: Marijuana is “natural”, an “herb”

Fact: THC, the addictive chemical in marijuana, contains over 400 other compounds. Marijuana has 50-70% more cancer causing chemicals than tobacco smoke.

Myth: Marijuana used as “medicine” is okay

Fact: Smoking marijuana can cause or worsen respiratory symptoms (bronchitis, chronic cough). Smoked marijuana is not recognized as a viable medication by most major medical associations.

Myth: Marijuana does not cause problems with the lungs or breathing

Fact: Regular users suffer coughs, wheezing, frequent colds and respiratory infections like bronchitis. Immune systems are compromised by post use.

Myth: Cigarettes cause cancer but marijuana does not

Fact: Marijuana increases the risk of testicular cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer and a type of brain tumor.

Myth: Smoking marijuana does not affect my ability to drive

Fact: Marijuana impairs judgment, complex motor skills, reaction time and the ability to judge speed and time. Those who drive or take other risks after smoking marijuana are much more likely to be injured or killed.

Myth: Marijuana helps you feel better if you are depressed

Fact: Depression, anxiety and schizophrenia occur more often in marijuana users.

Myth: There is not much parents can do to stop their kids from experimenting with marijuana

Fact: Parents are the most powerful influence on their children when it comes to drugs. Parental monitoring can reduce future drug use.

Myth: Marijuana smokers can think more clearly; they do better in school

Fact: Marijuana users have a hard time thinking clearly, concentrating, remembering things and solving problems. Frequent use often causes grades to drop. Users often lose interest in school and may quit. Those using marijuana heavily often perform poorly in school or sports, lose interest in hobbies and develop interpersonal problems with family and friends.

Myth: Smoking marijuana during pregnancy has no effect on the baby

Fact: Marijuana use may slow the growth of the baby during pregnancy. It may also slightly increase the risk of premature delivery.

Myth: Most teens smoke pot; everyone is doing it

Fact: National and local surveys tell us that the majority of teens do NOT.