Science & Research
True or False: Can marijuana erase IQ points?
True. Marijuana use that starts in adolescence can lower your IQ score and permanently erase up to eight IQ points – even if you stop using.
True or False: Marijuana isn't addictive?
False! Chronic marijuana use can lead to addiction. Research shows that approximately 9 percent, or about 1 in 11, of those who use marijuana will become addicted. This goes up to 17 percent in those who start using while young (in their teens) and increases to 25-50 percent of daily users.
True or false: marijuana does not impair a person's ability to drive a car.
False! People driving under the influence of marijuana experience slower reaction times, decreased coordination, and delayed processing of signs and signals.
True or False: When someone stops using marijuana, they may experience negative physical and psychological effects called withdrawal?
True!
Some of the symptoms are:
Can marijuana use impact your heart?
Yes. Studies have shown that using marijuana for long periods of time can increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, and atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rate).
True or False: Cannabis is linked to poor academic performance?
True! The Maryland College Alcohol Survey found that Johns Hopkins students who did not use marijuana in the past year had significantly higher GPAs than students who had used marijuana in the past year.
True or False: Marijuana can cause psychosis.
True. Marijuana use can increase the risk of psychotic symptoms such as paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations in some people who are at risk of developing psychosis.
True or False: Smoking ciagrettes does more damage to the lungs than smoking marijuana.
False! Smoking 1 joint is equvalant to smoking between 2.5 and 5 cigarettes.
Name 3 short-term side effects.
Short-term effects of THC include a euphoric high, altered senses, increased appetite, and impaired coordination.
Name 2-3 long-term consequences.
Long-term use of THC can lead to memory issues and changed brain development. It can also cause psychoactive effects that last for days or weeks after use.
Marijuana contains how many different substances?
100!
Marijuana contains more than 100 substances, called cannabinoids. The two most well-understood are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which each cause different effects.
Yes or No: Can someone experience marijuana withdrawals?
Yes. Chronic and frequent use of marijuana can lead some individuals to develop physical dependence. Dependence is the body’s physiological adaptation to the presence of marijuana, meaning the body has become so used to having marijuana in its system that when an individual stops, withdrawal symptoms emerge.
If caught with possession of ½ oz. or more of marijuana the consequence will be:
A) Parent gets in trouble
B) $150 fine
C) Up to 1-year prison term
Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1-year prison term,
up to a $2,000 fine, or both
Second offense: court must evaluate the defendant and may
suspend prosecution and order substance abuse treatment if the court determines that the person is drug dependent
Subsequent offenses: court may find the person to be a persistent offender for controlled substance possession, which is punishable by a class E felony prison sentence (i.e., up to 3 years)
Which of these short terms symptoms are false?
A. Psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.
B. Mood changes.
C. Anxiety.
D. None.
D. None. All can occur when any individual uses marijuana, though such adverse effects are more commonly seen with higher, sometimes unexpectedly potent doses, or in individuals who don’t use the substance regularly.
What mental health disorders have been linked to excess marijuana use?
Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia (psychosis)
True or False: Marijuana strength has increased significantly since the 1960s?
True! From the 1960s through the 80s, the THC content in marijuana was less than 2%. In the 90s it rose to 4%. As recently as 2017, THC content had risen to 17-28% and can be even higher (up to 95%) in concentrated products. The increased potency has been associated with increased risk of addiction and worsening mental health problems.
True or False: Cannabis helps with sleep?
False!
While using marijuana may be associated with falling asleep more quickly, it also reduces the amount of time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. REM sleep is most associated with dreaming.
True or False: Increased use of marijuana products, such as edibles, that take longer for the effects of marijuana to be noticed by the user has been related to increased cases of acute marijuana toxicity?
True!
Typical symptoms may include:
The effects of edibles can last for up to ____ hours.
24
How can marijuana impact the brain?
Marijuana can impact the brain in areas such as attention, memory, and learning.
The concentration of THC in marijuana has tripled in the last few decades. What does THC stand for?
A. It doesn’t stand, it falls down a lot (hahahaha).
B. Trihypercocannabis
C. Tetrahydrocannabinol
The correct answer is Tetrahydrocannabinol. Current strains of marijuana have much higher levels of THC than what they were 25 years ago. The higher levels of THC today may lead to higher rates of addiction.
True or False: Cannabis is a "safe" drug, and you can't overdose on it?
False!
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a fatal marijuana overdose is unlikely. However, that does not mean that consuming too much marijuana does not pose serious health risks.
It is also important to remember that some methods of marijuana use, such as consuming edibles, may have a higher likelihood of overdose.
What factors could influence how someone experiences the effects of marijuana? (List as many as you can think of!)
-Age
-Genetic factors
-Gender
-Amount of marijuana use
-Method of use (smoking, vaping, taking edibles, etc)
-How often you use marijuana
-How long you've been using marijuana
-If you take certain medications or have taken other substances
Which of the 5 senses (sight, smell, touch, taste, auditory) can be impacted while high?
All 5 senses can be impacted or heightened.
How can long-term use affect the body?
The body can process THC, but there’s a limit to how much it can handle. If someone consumes too much THC, it can overwhelm the body’s ability to metabolize and excrete it, leading to adverse effects. Additionally, people who consume marijuana frequently may develop tolerance to THC, requiring higher dosages to achieve the desired effects, increasing the risk of overdose.