"Weed" is a slang term for marijuana, which is a mixture of dried leaves, stems, seeds and flowers from the hemp plant. Other slang terms include "pot," "reefer" and "grass." The active ingredient in marijuana is a chemical called THC. It is rolled into cigarettes, or joints, and smoked in order to get a feeling of euphoria that is called a high. It can also be smoked through other paraphernalia. According to the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, as reported by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, there were more than 100 million people over the age of 12 who have used marijuana. With so many people familiar with it, knowing the dangers of smoking it is important.
Law Enforcement
According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, marijuana is a Class I substance under the Controlled Substances Act. The office cites a 2004 Bureau of Justice Statistics survey, which shows that one of the dangers of smoking weed is incarceration. It says that 12.7 percent of state prisoners and 12.4 percent of federal prisoners were serving sentences related to marijuana. It also cites a figure from Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, listing 1,841,182 arrests in 2007 from drug abuse violations, with 42.1 percent of those being for possession of marijuana.
Lung Dangers
Smoking weed carries with it the dangers of smoking other substances, such as tobacco. These dangers include coughing, trouble with breathing and developing lung diseases. The Department of Health and Human Services notes that lung cancer can result from smoking marijuana, which has 50 to 70 percent more compounds that cause cancer than cigarette smoke.
Memory Problems
Smoking weed can cause a decrease in short-term memory and problems with learning. The Office of National Drug Control Policy reports that students who received an average grade of D or lower in 2007 were four times more likely to have used marijuana in the past year than students with an average A grade.
Addiction
The Department of Health and Human Services reports that marijuana use can be addictive for some people. Once addicted, there can be withdrawal symptoms when its use is stopped.
Parental Involvement
The National Institute on Drug Abuse recommends that parents talk to their children about drug abuse. They provide booklets to help parents talk about the scientific facts about marijuana use.
