Brain and Body
What chemical in cannabis is responsible for making someone feel "high"?
THC (Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol)
"Cannabis is safe because it's a plant."
MYTH. Being a plant doesn't automatically make something safe. Cannabis contains chemicals that affect the brain and body.
What does SUD stand for?
Substance Use Disorder.
Name two ways someone might use cannabis.
Smoking, vaping, or eating it in foods/drinks such as gummies, cookies, candies, or beverages.
Is recreational cannabis use legal for teenagers in any U.S. state?
No. The material states that cannabis is not legal for teens in any state.
Name two ways cannabis can affect the brain.
It can affect memory, emotions, judgment, coordination, learning, thinking, mood, or sense of time.
"Edibles work immediately, so you'll know right away if you've taken too much."
MYTH. When cannabis is eaten, the body absorbs THC more slowly, and effects may not be felt for 30–60 minutes.
What does it mean when someone has a substance use disorder?
They continue using a substance even when it is causing problems in areas such as school, work, or home.
What is an edible?
A cannabis product that is eaten or consumed, such as a gummy, cookie, candy, or drink.
Name one possible symptom someone might experience when they stop or cut back on regular cannabis use.
Irritability, nervousness, difficulty sleeping, stomach pain, sweating, or shakiness.
Which brain system is involved in memory and emotion processing and includes the amygdala and hippocampus?
The limbic system.
"Vaping cannabis is completely safe because there is no smoke."
MYTH. Vaping cannabis can still be harmful to the brain and body, and serious lung illnesses have been associated with vaping THC oils.
A teen says, "I know smoking weed is causing problems at school, but I keep doing it anyway." What is this an example of?
Continuing to use cannabis despite negative consequences, which can be a sign of a cannabis use disorder.
Why might someone feel the effects of cannabis more quickly when they smoke or vape it compared with eating it?
When cannabis is smoked, THC quickly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream.
What is one potential long-term effect of cannabis use on the brain?
Cannabis use can affect learning, memory, and thinking, particularly when use begins during adolescence.
What part of the brain is involved in thinking, planning, problem-solving, and decision making?
A. Cerebrum
B. Cerebellum
C. Brain Stem
"Cannabis can't affect your brain development because you're already basically an adult by the teenage years."
MYTH. The brain continues developing and changing into a person's 20s. Cannabis use during the teen years can affect thinking, memory, learning, and brain connections.
A teen regularly uses cannabis and decides to stop. After stopping, they become irritable, nervous, have difficulty sleeping, experience stomach pain, and feel shaky. What is happening?
Cannabis withdrawal.
Why can edibles be especially risky when someone doesn't understand how long they take to work?
THC from edible products is absorbed more slowly, so someone may not feel the effects for 30–60 minutes and may consume more before the first dose has taken effect.
A person says, "I've used cannabis before and nothing bad happened, so it's safe for me." Why doesn't one person's experience prove cannabis is safe?
Cannabis can have different effects on different people, and some risks may develop over time. Effects can include impaired memory/learning, coordination problems, anxiety/paranoia, respiratory problems, and substance use disorder.
Name three physical effects and three mental/cognitive effects cannabis can have.
Physical: Increased heart rate, Upset stomach/nausea or vomiting, Increased hunger, Breathing problems/lung irritation
Mental/cognitive: Impaired memory and learning, Difficulty thinking/problem-solving, Altered sense of time, Anxiety/paranoia, Impaired coordination, Hallucinations or psychosis at high doses
"If cannabis is being used for medical purposes, it can't have negative effects."
MYTH. Some cannabis-derived medications have approved medical uses, but cannabis products can still have risks and side effects.
Scenario: Jordan has been using cannabis regularly. Their friends have noticed they use more than they planned, they've tried to cut back but haven't been able to, and they're continuing to use despite problems at school.
What are three signs in this scenario that could indicate a cannabis use disorder?
What is Delta-8?
Delta-8 THC is another chemical found in cannabis that can produce a "high." It can be added to products such as gummies or cookies. Large amounts of Delta-8 products have been associated with medical emergencies, and Delta-8 THC is not approved by the FDA for safe use.
"Weed isn't that serious. It's natural, vaping is safer than smoking, and if I eat an edible I'll know right away if I took too much."
Identify THREE things this statement gets wrong.
"It's natural, so it's safe" → Being a plant does not mean something is harmless.
"Vaping is safer" → Vaping cannabis can still be harmful and has been associated with serious lung illnesses.
"I'll know right away" → Edibles can take 30–60 minutes to produce effects.