MARIJUANA MYTHS AND FACTS

In the Atrium on Tuesday, January 18, at 12:00 p.m. a function was
held called Marijuana Myths and Facts, to help promote student
awareness about the usage of the drug. It was part of Tobacco
Reduction week, hosted by the Students for Tobacco Reduction.

Lunch was provided for those who attended and the students walking
past on their commute to class cried out "free!" when they saw the
stacks of sandwiches. Those in attendance were enthusiastic and about
half of the seats were full.

During the short seminar, it was revealed by MC Chrysta Duff that
Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug. She explained that
it comes in three basic forms, leaf/bud, hash and hash oil.

The THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) levels in any of these varieties varies
from toke to toke, so you never know exactly how much you're receiving.

THC is the drug that causes the high when one smokes marijuana, but it
also inhibits the immune system of the user. It increases heart rate
and can cause paranoia if used in large doses. She warned those in
attendance that approximately one in every ten adolescent users will
continue to use the drug into adulthood.

After the presentation a survey was handed out by Duff and Chinook
Health Region Health Promotion Specialist Karoline Philipp. Those who
completed the survey were entered into a draw for a $20 Safeway gift
certificate that could be used for everything except tobacco products.
Strangely, smokers were entered twice.

For more information about Marijuana or smoking, contact Karoline
Phillip