Ian+F.

Marijuana

I’m sure most of you reading are interested and wondering the same question about Marijuana. After researching three online databases and numerous websites. I have found the real answer. Marijuana is abused by teens and adults like you and me. Some people say its fun a way to relax, get away from it all. What they don't think about when they are getting high is the serious health issues. The three major problems with this class one drug are effects on your social life and effects on your body physically and mentally.

Pictures of Cannabis
= = = All About Marijuana = Marijuana also commonly known as, cannabis, or hemp plant it is one of the oldest psychoactive plants known in the world. Cannabis has become one of the most widespread plants(Sigel). It grows as weed plant all over the world in a variety of climates and soils. Cannabis has been used as remedies for thousands of years. The main ingredient that makes you high is called [|THC](Dudley). "Marijuana has been used throughout history in many different cultures to change mood, perception, and consciousness - in other words, to get high"(Sigel).Its effects range from increasing creativity to mystical experiences. The most common way to smoke marijuana is through a little weed cigarette also known as a joint. The first appearance of Cannabis can be dated back as early as Christ. The cannabis plant has the strongest fiber on the face of this earth. People use the strong fibers to make make textile products. Also one of our founding fathers, George Washington used the cannabis plant for medicinal purposes, and the use of its strong fiber.(Sigel)

= Effects when you're High = = = =Effects on social life= If you want to be a social outgoing person Marijuana is __not__ your friend. “The drug can make you mess up in school, in sports or in clubs, or lose your friends” (Dudley). Personally if I did not have any of these I would be miserable with my life, and marijuana does this to you. Also if you’re an athlete Marijuana is a free ride to become a bench warmer(Bower). “Athletes performance is off; timing, movements, and coordination are all affected by THC ”(Sigel). Also if you are not outgoing and wanting to fit in with the “cool crowd” once again marijuana is not you’re friend(Dudley). “According to one study, Marijuana use by teenagers who have prior serious antisocial problems can quickly lead to dependence on the drug “(Bower). A lot of people who I personally know who use marijuana say words like I don’t care or it doesn’t matter. “Users of marijuana develop lack of interest in life, school and family” (Bower).
 * Seem dizzy and have trouble walking
 * seem silly and giggly for no reason
 * have very red bloodshot eyes
 * have a hard time remembering what just happened(Dudley)
 * dry mouth
 * increased appetite, or "the munchies"
 * slowed reaction time(Sigel)

Effects on Students
Daily marijuana use has been shown to:
 * Cause users to get lower grades and become less likely to graduate.(Dudley)
 * Impaired skills related to attention, memory and learning even after not smoking for 24 hours.(Dudley)
 * Cause problems in sustaining attention.(Bower)
 * "Effect the ability to register, organize and use information, even compared to occasional users of marijuana"(Bower).
 * Impair users' ability to recall words from a list even a week after quitting marijuana use.(Sigel)

=Physical effects= The risks of smoking pot go up with heavy use. The link has never been proven, but many experts believe heavy pot smokers are at increased risk for [|lung cancer].Heavy marijuana use lowers men's testosterone levels and sperm count and quality(Bower). Pot could decrease libido and fertility in some heavy-smoking men.Contrary to what many pot smokers may tell you, marijuana is addictive, at least psychologically(Dudley). "Even among occasional users, one in 12 can feel withdrawal symptoms if they can't get high when they want to"(Sigel). Among heavy pot smokers, the rates of dependence are higher(Dudley). People who smoke marijuana often develop the same kinds of breathing problems cigarette smokers have. "This couching and wheezing. they tend to have more chest colds than nonusers"(Dudley). They are also at greater risk of lung infections like Pneumonia. There are over 400 chemicals in "crude" marijuana and no one should allow people to be exposed to them. There are also twice as many carcinogens present in marijuana smoke than in tobacco smoke(Bower). =Effects on your body= media type="youtube" key="IiWpyWsMVPg" height="223" width="331" =Mental effects= Smoking marijuana causes some changes in the brain that are like those caused by other drugs like cocaine, heroin, Alcohol. The drug supposedly makes you go mentally insane indescribable unless you experience it. "In 1995, 165,000 people entered drug treatment programs reporting they are addicted to Marijuana"(Dudley). This shows that people who start want to stop but the need help because it is that addicting. "THC acts upon specific sites in the brain kicking off a series of cellular reactions that ultimately lead to the high that users experience when they smoke marijuana"(Sigel). The highest density of Brain receptors are found in parts of the brain that influence pleasure, memory, thoughts, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement(Bower). Marijuana can cause distorted perceptions, impaired coordination, difficulty in thinking and problem solving, and problems with learning and memory(Bower). Research has shown that marijuana’s impact on learning and memory can last for days or weeks(Dudley).

psychological Effects of Marijuana
The main psychological effect of smoking pot is euphoria. Getting high or is the reason most pot smokers use marijuana. Other short-term psychological effects of pot include:
 * distorted sense of time
 * paranoia
 * magical or "random" thinking
 * short-term memory loss
 * anxiety and depression

= = = = = = =**Long-term dangers of smoking marijuana on mental health**=
 * It can increase risk of depression, suicidal thoughts as a result of regular marijuana use,
 * even among people with no prior history of a disorder.
 * It can increase the risk of acute toxic psychosis and panic attacks.
 * It increases the risk of developing uncontrollable aggressiveness.(Sigel)
 * It may badly disrupt the nerve cells in the part of the brain where memories are formed.(Bower)
 * Long term use of marijuana can cause schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disorder.(Bower)

=Warning Signs= If you are nodding your head yes to any of these warning signs contact a trusted adult.
 * Have there grades gone down?
 * Have they dropped out of school?
 * Have relationships with there friends or family gotten worse? Are they fighting more?
 * Are they depressed, anxious, or paranoid?


 * Percentage of 12th-Graders Who Have Used Marijuana**
 * ||  ||~ 1995 ||~ 1996 ||~ 1997 ||~ 1998 ||~ 1999 ||~ 2000 ||~ 2001 ||
 * ~ Lifetime || 41.7% || 44.9% || 49.6% || 49.1% || 49.7% || 48.8% || 49.0% ||
 * ~ Past Year || 34.7 || 35.8 || 38.5 || 37.5 || 37.8 || 36.5 || 37.0 ||
 * ~ Past Month || 21.2 || 21.9 || 23.7 || 22.8 || 23.1 || 21.6 || 22.4 ||
 * ~ Daily || 4.6 || 4.9 || 5.8 || 5.6 || 6.0 || 6.0 || 5.8 ||  ||

Chart from [] =The Union: The other side of the story= media type="custom" key="5330799" width="275" height="180" align="center"
 * ||  ||~ 2002 ||~ 2003 ||~ 2004 ||~ 2005 ||~ 2006 ||~ 2007 ||~ 2008 ||
 * ~ Lifetime || 47.8% || 46.1% || 45.7% || 44.8% || 42.3% || 41.8% || 42.6% ||
 * ~ Past Year || 36.2 || 34.9 || 34.3 || 33.6 || 31.5 || 31.7 || 32.4 ||
 * ~ Past Month || 21.5 || 21.2 || 19.9 || 19.8 || 18.3 || 18.8 || 19.4 ||
 * ~ Daily || 6.0 || 6.0 || 5.6 || 5.0 || 5.0 || 5.1 || 5.4 ||  ||

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =For additional information visit these sites= []

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 * __ Work Cited __**

Ian Fleming Works Cited Bower, Bruce. "Mental disorders more widespread than estimated." //Health Source - Consumer Edition//. EBSCO, 10 Oct. 2009. Web. 5 Feb. 2010. Dudley, William. "Questions and Answers About Marijuana." //Opposing Viewpoints Resource CEnter//. Gale, 2002. Web. 8 Feb. 2010. Sigel, Eric. "Marijuana and Teens." //Health Source - Consumer Edition//. EBSCO, July 2009. Web. 4 Feb. 2010.