Marijuana Myths
True or False: If two people smoke the same amount of marijuana, they will get equally high.
False: Marijuana affects each person differently. Some factors that contribute to this are a person’s biology, the potency of the marijuana, previous experience with drugs, the way a person uses it, and the use of other drugs at the same time.
True or False: Driving while high is safer than driving while drunk.
False: Marijuana affects judgment and motor skills, which is especially risky for new and less experienced drivers. In fact, marijuana is the drug most frequently found in the blood of drivers involved in car crashes.
Source: https://drugfree.org/article/marijuana-what-you-need-to-know/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw3v6SBhCsARIs
True or False: Marijuana helps with long-term depression and is a proven treatment for mental health disorders.
False. While some use it without a doctor’s recommendation for temporary relief, long-term use may actually worsen depression and is not an FDA-approved treatment for any mental health disorder.
Source: NIDA – Long-Term Effects
Name one location where marijuana is illegal (even in NJ.)
On federal or public property like national parks, federal highways, airports, or government buildings like City Hall.
Source: NIDA – Marijuana Legality, state-medical-cannabis-laws
Talking to these people can help when you’re feeling overwhelmed instead of turning to marijuana.
Trusted adults, counselors, therapists
True or False: Marijuana is a completely safe, “natural” medicine with no harmful side effects.
False. Though marijuana is plant-based, it can still cause addiction (Cannabis Use Disorder), cognitive issues, and mental health risks.
Source: fda-and-cannabis-research-and-drug-approval-process
What is “lacing” in marijuana?
It’s when marijuana is knowingly or unknowingly mixed with other substances like fentanyl or PCP.
Source: marijuana DEA
Marijuana use has been found to increase the risk of developing psychiatric disorders like:
Dissociative Identity Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Anorexia Nervosa
Psychosis (Schizophrenia), Depression, and Anxiety.
Chronic Migraines and Insomnia
3: Marijuana use has been found to increase a person’s chances of developing psychiatric disorders like psychosis (schizophrenia), depression, and anxiety. How much marijuana is used and the age when it was first used plays a large role in this.
True or False: Marijuana is federally legal.
False: Although many states have legalized marijuana for recreational, medical purposes, or both, it's still illegal at a federal level. Marijuana is federally considered a Schedule II Drug and because of this there are limitations on what research can be done, therefore there is a lot that we do not know. Advertisements may also state things that are not actually true.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/personal-finance/house-passes-bill-legalize-marijuana/
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IN/IN11204
Name two healthy coping strategies to manage stress or feelings of anxiety without using marijuana.
Examples include physical activity (like walking or dancing), deep breathing, mindfulness or meditation, getting enough sleep, and staying connected with supportive people.
Source: NIMH – Managing Anxiety
What is withdrawal, and how might someone feel when stopping marijuana use after regular use?
Withdrawal is a set of physical or emotional symptoms that occur when someone stops using a substance their body has become used to. With marijuana, this can include irritability, trouble sleeping, decreased appetite, anxiety, or mood swings.
Source:cannabis-use-disorder.html
What is “greening out”?
A term for marijuana overdose symptoms like nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sweating, anxiety, and in some cases panic or fainting, often caused by consuming too much THC at once.
Source:marijuana- Poison Control
True or False: Marijuana use can have negative impacts on the teenage brain.
True: Marijuna use during adolescence can have negative effects on the developing brain like difficulty thinking and problem-solving, problems with memory and learning, reduced coordination, difficulty maintaining attention, problems with school and social life, increased risk of mental health issues, impaired driving, and the potential for addiction. Remember, the brain is not fully developed until the age of 25.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/health-effects/teens.html
In New Jersey, how many ounces of marijuana are adults (21+) legally allowed to possess?
1 oz
3 oz
6 oz
3: 6 ounces. In New Jersey, an adult can legally possess up to 6 ounces of marijuana (but every state is different).
Source: https://avalonpolice.org/2021-marijuana-and-cannabis-information/
True or False: Most teens in the U.S. are using marijuana regularly.
False. In fact, only about 6.5% of youth aged 12–17 reported using marijuana in the past month, most teens are choosing to stay drug-free, Meaning most teens are finding other, healthier ways to cope with stress—like sports, music, talking to friends, or creative outlets.
Source:2023-nsduh-annual-national.pdf
True or False: You can get a prescription for medical marijuana from your doctor, just like antibiotics.
False. You cannot get a prescription for marijuana like you do for other medications. Marijuana is still illegal under federal law and cannot be prescribed. In states where medical marijuana is legal, a doctor may provide a written recommendation only if all other treatment options have been exhausted, and you must qualify with a specific health condition. Only authorized dispensaries, not pharmacies, can sell it.
Source: Medlineplus.gov
How can regularly using marijuana negatively affect school or work performance?
It can reduce memory, attention span, and motivation, making it harder to succeed academically or professionally.
Source: cannabis-and-teens.html
What is the active ingredient in marijuana that is responsible for producing mind-altering effects?
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is the psychoactive chemical in marijuana that affects a person’s mental state.
What risk do you take if you cross state lines with legally purchased marijuana?
Even if both states allow marijuana, transporting it across state lines is a federal crime, and can be punished with fines or even jail time.
Source: state-medical-cannabis-laws
Name one place in Paterson where someone can get help for marijuana or other substance use issues without judgment
Straight & Narrow – Offers residential, inpatient/outpatient, HIV/AIDS services, and community programs. No insurance needed.
Options Counseling Center – Provides outpatient care and specialized programs for youth, men, women, with Medicaid or out-of-pocket options.
Turning Point Inc. – Offers detox, residential, outpatient, adolescent, and family support programs. Any of these locations provide support for people struggling with marijuana or other drug use.
True or False: Eating marijuana marijuana edibles (gummies, brownies, etc) is a safer alternative to smoking it.
False. While edibles avoid the lung damage caused by smoking, they pose their own risks. Edibles take longer to affect the body, leading some users to consume too much too quickly, raising the risk of overdose, intense anxiety, or hallucinations. Source: CDC index
Which of the following is a risk of frequent marijuana use?
A) Heightened immune system
B) Reduced IQ when started as a teen
C) Improved athletic performance
D) Stronger teeth
B) Reduced IQ (intelligence) when started as a teen – Long-term use starting in adolescence has been linked to cognitive decline.
Source: NIDA – Long-Term Effects
True or False: People who use marijuana regularly are more likely to feel socially confident and connected.
False. Heavy marijuana use is linked to increased social withdrawal and isolation, especially in teens and young adults.
Source: SAMHSA risks of marijuana
True or False: DUI laws only apply to alcohol, not marijuana.
False. In New Jersey and many other states, you can be charged with a DUI if law enforcement can prove you're impaired by marijuana through observed driving behavior, physical signs (like red eyes or slowed speech), and field sobriety tests—even if your BAC is 0.00%.
Source:driving.html
True or False: You need health insurance to get help for marijuana or other substance use in Paterson.
False. Several treatment centers in Paterson, like Straight & Narrow, offer services even if you don’t have insurance. Others, like Options Counseling Center, accept Medicaid and have affordable out-of-pocket options.