True/False
TRUE OR FALSE: Marijuana use is safer than nicotine use.
FALSE: Marijuana has over 400 chemicals in it. Some of these chemicals are linked to causing cancer. Using cannabis can have the following effects on your body:
may decrease your memory, ability to pay attention and concentrate, and your ability to learn
can affect your mental health
can affect your moods and feelings
can damage your lungs
give you more coughs, colds, and chest infections
What is one long term effect of using Marijuana?
Problems with memory, paying attention, concentration, & learning
Increased risk of psychosis (hearing, seeing, or feeling things that aren't real), anxiety, breathing problems (ie worsening asthma)
Addiction
Using during pregnancy or breastfeeding can harm a fetus or a newborn
What hormone does THC release in your body?
Dopamine.
THC in marijuana stimulates the parts of your brain that respond to pleasure. It also relaxes your body's "feel good" hormone dopamine, which often causes a relaxed, euphoric feeling. However, a 2016 study published in Nature showed that regular use eventually leads to a reduction in dopamine, which can negatively affect emotions, motivation, and more, like how easily you become addicted to substances.
Compared to the 1980's, the current THC levels in marijuana flower are stronger or weaker?
Up to 14 times stronger. In the 1980's marijuana flower on average contained 2% THC. That average jumped to 28% in 2017. Today's marijuana plants are much stronger than the plants of decades past and can be 40% THC and even higher.
Is marijuana classified as a stimulant, depressant, or psychedelic
A psychedelic, but also acts as a stimulant.
TRUE OR FALSE: Marijuana is addictive.
TRUE: The risk of becoming addicted is 1 in 6 (17%) among those who start using cannabis as a youth. The youth brain is still developing which makes it easier to become addicted to cannabis and other drugs.
Source: Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse "The Effects of Cannabis Use During Adolescence"
The part of your body most affected by marijuana
The Brain
What is one major difference between smoking marijuana and tobacco, in relation to mental health?
Marijuana can lead to psychosis, and tobacco does not.
What's the difference between CBD and THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol)?
Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are cannabis compounds that affect the endocannabinoid system, but only THC produces a “high.”
What is the chemical in marijuana that makes you feel like you're "high"?
THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main chemical and is most responsible for the “high”. It also affects your coordination and balance, and may cause you to feel anxiety, panic, and trouble knowing what's real and what's not real.
Marijuana comes in many different strains, with many different percentages of THC. The more THC in the cannabis, the more likely you are to experience negative effects from the marijuana.
TRUE OR FALSE: Regular marijuana use or use starting under age 25 can do damage to the body that can never be reversed.
TRUE: Using marijuana when you're younger (and by young we mean teenagers, and younger than 25) can increase the risk of problems with your health, education and social life.
If you already use often, try to limit your use, such as using only on weekends or once a week until you are able to quit.
How does marijuana affect your driving?
It can decrease alertness, concentration, coordination, and reaction time. It doubles your risk of being seriously injured or killed in a car accident.
When you use alcohol OR Marijuana the odds of being in a fatal crash increase.
If a police officer finds that you are impaired by any drug, including cannabis, you will face serious penalties, including:
How is marijuana related to depression?
Marijuana increases the risk of developing depression.
In a study of 23,217 adolescents who used marijuana, results showed they have a significantly increased risk of depression and suicidality later in life.
Why are thc oil pens (vapes) dangerous?
To make marijuana into oil, polyethanol glycol is used, which is unsafe for inhalation and can cause cancer.
THC levels are higher in the marijuana oil used in e-cigarettes/vapes.
What is the chemical in marijuana that can be used to help some people with health problems?
Cannabidiol (CBD). CBD does not make you feel "high". It has been shown to help with some forms of chronic pain, nausea and vomiting.
All marijuana products contain the same amount of THC.
FALSE
Each and every time you use marijuana your body and mind may be affected. What are 2 possible short-term effects.
Feelings of paranoia, anxiety, feeling like time is moving slowly, psychosis (hearing, seeing, and feeling things that aren't real), difficulty paying attention, difficulty remembering, shaking, poor coordination and balance, slower reaction time
Increased heart rate, increased hunger, increased blood pressure, dilated pupils, red eyes, dry mouth, and throat.
Why might marijuana use be especially harmful to teenagers compared to adults?
The teenage brain is still developing, and marijuana can affect learning, memory, attention, and decision-making.
What are two concerns with Edibles?
They take longer to get into your system so you may eat more thinking it hasn't "worked"
They are packaged in more than one serving per bag and a serving may be much smaller than you realize.
If you make them yourself you may not know how much cannabis to use.
Can you be prescribed marijuana by your doctor and have it covered by insurance?
No, because marijuana is not federally legal it cannot be prescribed (prescription drugs are federally regulated) and therefore will have to be paid for out of pocket.
TRUE OF FALSE? Marijuana decreases athletic performance up to 12 hours after use.
FALSE - Marijuana impairs your ability to perform things requiring eye-hand coordination and a fast reaction time. Reduces motor coordination, tracking ability and perceptual accuracy. Impairs concentration, and time appears to move more slowly. Skill impairment can last up to 24 to 36 hours after usage. Reduces maximal exercise capacity resulting in increased fatigue. Marijuana has no performance-enhancing potential
Name two groups of people that may be easily harmed by marijuana.
1) Youth 25 years of age and under
Children and babies exposed to second-hand marijuana smoke may have damage to their developing brain and lungs
2) Pregnant and breastfeeding women may pass the harmful chemicals in marijuana to their babies through the placenta and through their breast milk. There is no known safe amount or time for marijuana use in pregnancy and when breastfeeding
3) Those with a mental health issue or those with a parent or sibling with a mental health issue are at a greater risk for harms
4) Those with a substance use problem or those with a parent or sibling with a substance use problem are at a greater risk for harms
What is CIP?
CIP stands for Cannabis‑Induced Psychosis, a mental health condition where cannabis (marijuana) use triggers symptoms of psychosis such as hallucinations, delusions, and severe paranoia
Cannabis‑induced psychosis (CIP) is an episode of loss of contact with reality caused by THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). It can occur after smoking, eating, or using concentrates, and may be short‑lived or last for weeks or longer.
What are the dangers of having THC oils or lotions?
Children could think it is regular lotion
Elderly people may use too much
It is hard to dose properly
What other plant contains CBD?
The Hemp Plant
TRUE OR FALSE: When marijuana is eaten, the user feels the effects much faster than if it was smoked or vaped.
FALSE: Smoking marijuana (in joints, bongs, etc) may be the most harmful way of using marijuana because it affects your lungs. But, eating or drinking products that have marijuana in them is not safe. When you eat edibles, your high is delayed. Remember that no method is entirely risk-free.
Marijuana can increase OR decease heart rate shortly after use.
Increase
What is Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS)?
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is a condition seen in long‑term, frequent cannabis users that causes recurrent cycles of severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, often temporarily relieved by hot baths or showers, and resolved only by stopping cannabis use.
Name one mental health concern that can be caused by THC use?
Anxiety, paranoia, psychosis, agitation
Based on a 2021 study published in Nursing, high potency THC substances are more likely to cause anxiety, agitation, paranoia, and psychosis
What organ processes chemicals from marijuana after they enter the bloodstream?
Liver