Alternate Names for Marijuana

• Weed, pot, grass, reefer, ganja, Mary Jane, blunt, joint, trees

Effects of Long-Term Marijuana Use

• Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the chemical responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects, affects brain cells throughout the brain, including cells in circuits related to learning and memory, coordination, and addiction.
• Marijuana can seriously affect your sense of time and your coordination, impacting things like driving.
• Marijuana smoke deposits four times more tar in the lungs and contains 50 to 70 percent more cancer-causing substances than tobacco smoke does.
• Chronic marijuana use has been linked with depression, anxiety, and an increased risk of schizophrenia in some cases.

Other Facts About Marijuana

• Marijuana can be laced with substances without your knowledge. “Blunts,” or hollowed-out cigars filled with marijuana-sometimes contain crack cocaine.
• Not everyone who uses marijuana becomes addicted, but some users develop signs of dependence.
• The Bottom Line – Marijuana affects the development of teen brains. Talk to your parents, a doctor, a counselor, a teacher, or another adult you trust if you have questions.

Know the Signs

How can you tell if a friend is using marijuana? Symptoms of marijuana use may include:

• Poor physical coordination
• Red eyes
• Unusual smell on clothing
• Problems with short-term memory
• Anxiety