Immediate Effects
Marijuana lowers the users appetite.
Fiction.
It does the opposite by both producing the feeling of hunger and lowering inhibitions.
Did somebody say Munchies??
Marijuana makes the user less motivated.
Fact.
Marijuana use affects judgement and dulls emotions. Over long-term use, this affects the value we put in our life goals and motivation to work toward them.
Marijuana contains a chemical that changes the way the brain works.
Fact.
Marijuana contains THC, which affects many areas of the brain, and alter's our brain's chemical balance which can lead to permanent physical changes to our brain. This effect is MUCH larger on a still-developing brain.
Marijuana use does not affect academic performace
Fiction.
On average, Students who use marijuana get lower grades than those who don't. They are also more likely to drop out.
Marijuana smoke is safe.
Fiction.
Anything you burn and inhale will damage your lungs. Yes. Anything.
The heat itself will burn lung tissue, and any burnt material is cancerous and damaging to lung tissue.
As long as you "Act Cool" nobody can tell that you are high.
Fiction. Everyone knows.
Your eyes are beet red and cant focus on anything, you smell like a skunk-nest, you're being really loud, that air-tight excuse you gave was actually an incoherent stuttering of a few words, and your perception of yourself is so skewed that you are incapable of noticing any of it. Your teacher does though.
Marijuana use can cause forgetfulness.
Fact.
THC, the psycho-active chemical in marijuana, affects receptors in our brain that process memories. This leads to forgetfulness for weeks after a SINGLE use. Long-term use causes permanent damage to our ability to store memories.
Marijuana is not addictive.
Fiction.
While marijuana does not have the same physical addiction characteristics of drugs such as methamphetamine or heroin, marijuana can be extremely psychologically addictive, especially with a genetic disposition toward addiction. Users can become mentally and emotionally dependent on the "high" feeling and suppression of intense emotions.
Marijuana use affects a person's ability to safely drive a vehicle.
Fact.
Marijuana use lowers attentiveness, perception of time and speed, judgement, and slows reaction time.
Marijuana users can always know what to expect when they buy from a trusted dealer or business.
Fiction.
Marijuana can be very unpredictable. Without expensive, high-tech lab equipment it is impossible to determine the potency or presence of additional substances. Even most legal dispensaries only provide estimated (or outright false) information on their products.
Marijuana use impairs short-term memory.
Fact.
Marijuana affects and shuts down the hippocampus, the part of our brain that receives short-term information and stores it as memories.
Marijuana smoke can cause respiratory problems.
Fact.
Similar to cigarette smoke, marijuana smoke contains chemicals and particulates that coat and damage lung tissue. This leads to persistant coughing, breathing disorders, and higher risk of lung infections.
Marijuana use can increase anxiety and cause panic attacks.
Fact.
Marijuana use can cause feelings of paranoia and increased heart rate, which fuel anxious thoughts and anxiety disorders.
Marijuana does not interfere with athletic performance.
Fiction.
Marijuana affects timing, movement, depth perception, and coordination.
The marijuana used in movies and music videos is real.
Fiction.
Hollywood spends a lot of money making aliens look real... they can do the same with drugs.
Even the rappers you see who always have marijuana around spend a lot of time developing their public image, and many times have very different habits in real life.
Marijuana use impairs concentration and balance.
Marijuana affects several areas of the brain and, in general, sedates or lowers their ability to function.
Smoking marijuana weakens the immune system.
Fact.
This makes marijuana smokers more susceptible to illness and infection than non-smokers.
Marijuana users have an increased risk for developing permanent mental illnesses including Major Depressive Disorder and Schizophrenia.
Fact.
Research has shown an association between marijauana use and diagnoses of severe mental health disorders, especially for teenagers with an existing genetic predisposition.
Marijuana use increases the amount of chemical activity in the brain (dopamine, serotonin, adrenaline, and more) which is very similar to how psychotic disorders such as Schizophrenia impact the brain.
Employers don't care about marijuana use anymore.
Fiction.
While attitudes and legality are changing across the country, many employers still maintain a strict 'drug free' policy even in states where it is legal to purchase recreationally.
K2 (or Spice, incense, fake weed) is a safer alternative to marijuana.
Fiction.
K2 is EXTREMELY dangerous and not in any way related to marijuana. It is a poisonous chemical with very unpredictable effects and potency due to no regulation. Side effects can range from vommitting and hallucinations to heart attacks and sudden death.
For the love of God whatever you do, please don't try K2
Smoking marijuana slows the heart rate, so it is relaxing.
Fiction.
Marijuana increases heart-rate by 20-50% immediately after smoking and can last for roughly 3 hours. This results in lower blood-supply to the heart and brain as well as increased blood pressure, which have several negative consequences for your health.
The chemicals in marijuana can help cure cancer.
Fiction.
Marijuana IS being used to help treat the side-effects of chemotherapy (a treatment for cancer) including pain and lower appetite.
Research indicates that marijuana does not reduce, kill, or prevent the growth of cancer cells. In fact, the smoke from marijuana contains some of the same carcinogens as tobacco smoke.
Marijuana can cause hallucinations and episodes of psychosis.
Fact.
This is generally a result of using large amounts or high potency forms of marijuana, but can also happen as a result of interaction with various medications or genetic predisposition to psychotic disorders.
Hallucinations are (most often) a result of our brain incorrectly interpreting signals due to high chemical activity in the brain.
Possession of small amounts of marijuana is a criminal offense in Nebraska.
Fiction.
Nebraska has decriminalized possession of marijuana in amounts smaller than 1 ounce. Individuals in possession of ANY amount of marijuana will still be ticketed by police, be required to go to court, and the charge will still be viewable to future employers.
A parent's negative attitude toward marijuana has the most influence on a teen's decision not to use.
Fact.
On average, marijuana use among teens is lower for those with parents who have negative attitudes toward marijuana.
Also known as the "Big Deal" factor, using marijuana is likely to be a bigger decision (more consequences) to make when the parents have explicitly negative attitudes toward it.