Overview
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug in the United States. The survey shows that 76.3 million people--about one in four--have tried marijuana at least once.
Marijuana is a preparation of various parts (leaves, stems, flowers and seeds) of the hemp plant named Cannabis sativa. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana (psychoactive means that it works on the nervous system).
Commonly known as pot, weed, reefer, herb or grass, the plant also contains more than 400 other chemicals like tar, carbon monoxide and cyanide. The drug is usually smoked or ingested orally. The potency of the marijuana's effects are determined by the amount of THC found in that particular dosage.
Effects
Marijuana does not have immediate or dramatic effects on health, such as increased risk of oral cancer, but it does have long-lasting effects on the brain that can dramatically alter quality of life.
Short-term effects of marijuana:
• Dry mouth and throat
• Increased heart rate
• Bloodshot eyes
• Impaired learning, memory, judgment and complex motor skills
• Difficulty speaking, listening, thinking, and problem solving
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Paranoia
• Distorted perception (sight, sound, time, touch)
Long-term effects of marijuana:
• Psychological dependence
• Asthma
• Cancer of the lungs
• Lowered sperm production
