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MARIJUANA What’s the big deal? . PRESENTED BY: APRIL DEMERS. MARIJUANA CONFUSION Is it legal? Is it safe? Is it medicine? Is it better than other drugs? Is it addictive? Is it OK for me to use?. MARIJUANA WHAT IS IT?. What is Marijuana ?.
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MARIJUANA What’s the big deal? PRESENTED BY: APRIL DEMERS
MARIJUANA CONFUSION Is it legal? Is it safe? Is it medicine? Is it better than other drugs? Is it addictive? Is it OK for me to use?
What is Marijuana? • It is a psychoactive drug extracted from the plant Cannabis sativa. • The herbal form of the drug consists of dried mature flowers and leaves of female plants. • The resinous is known as hashish. • The biological active ingredient is THC.
MARIJUANA TODAY • INCREASED STRENGTH • STUDY OF LONG TERM USERS
MARIJUANA PHYSICAL PROBLEMS • Average joint contains 3 to 10 times the amount of “tar” or “resin” of a regular cigarette • Leads to cancer, emphysema, and bronchitis • Contains the same chemical ingredients and carcinogens as tobacco, but at a much higher quantity
Marijuana & Delta-9-THC • THC dissolves into white blood cells • White bloods cells containing THC become lethargic and apathetic • Reduced resistance to infection
Marijuana Physical Effects • Effects on Lungs • Effects on immune system
Brain Cell Activity SLOWS DOWN
MARIJUANA SKILL IMPAIRMENT MARIJUANA USER SIMPLE HAND SKILL NON USER SIMPLE HAND SKILL Note: Subject not under influence during scan. Airline pilot study…
Lack of motivation… • Only interested in immediate gratification • Lack of ambition • Increased appetite • Perception of time altered • Panic or paranoid state • Mild hallucinations
Half Life of Chemicals in the Body • One alcohol drink ½ hour • Marijuana depends on usage and body fat • MINUMUM of 48 – 72 hours • Usage of more than 3 times a week is defined as HEAVY USER
Flushing Marijuana from the Body Up to 2 years of “non-usage” needed for body to get rid of THC from the brain