MARIJUANA HAS NUMEROUS EFFECTS ON TEENS

Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug in this country.

During the last six years, we have seen a doubling in use among 8th
graders and significant increases among high school individuals. The
physical effects of marijuana use, particularly on developing
adolescents, can be substantial. Marijuana contains one of the most
destructive chemicals found in any drug. This chemical is delta-9-
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC can stay in a person's body form
three weeks to four months.

It can harm an individual's memory along with their ability to learn
and understand. Regular smoking can very quickly and slowly cause the
user not to have any motivation. Marijuana adversely affects the
user's immune system, heart, brain and lungs.

The most frequent myth I hear from adolescents is that marijuana is
safer for their bodies than cigarettes. With each "toke", marijuana
smokers inhale more than 150 cancer-causing substances (cigarettes
have 43 known carcinogens) and nearly twice as much tar as they would
from a tobacco cigarette.

Studies have shown that someone who smokes five joints per week may
be taking in as many cancer-causing chemicals as a person who smokes
a pack of cigarettes every day. Not only does this affect the
respiratory system; it also impairs the ability of T- cells in the
lungs' immune defense system to fight off some infections. Many pot
smokers have more frequent chest colds and dry hacking coughs.

Another misconception many people have is that marijuana is not
physically addicting.

Although individuals don't die from marijuana withdrawal, this does
not mean that it isn't both psychologically and physically addicting.

Withdrawal can cause flu-like symptoms along with irritability,
tremor, anxiety and sleeplessness. These symptoms are usually mild
and last for three to four days.

Marijuana usage also harms the brain and leads to impaired short-term
memory, perception, judgment and motor skills.

Perhaps most noticeable to others is that a pot smokers mind is
cloudy, their thoughts do not flow smoothly.

This is because THC causes a dense material to clog the tiny gaps
between nerve cells in the brain, making communication between these
cells very difficult.

In males, marijuana reduces the levels of the male hormone
testosterone. Boys between the ages of 10 and 20 years especially
need this hormone because it helps them develop into physically
mature men. Furthermore, researchers have found abnormalities in the
spermatozoa of heavy smokers.

Studies are being done to find out if these can fertilize and egg;
therefore causing birth defects.

In females, the testosterone level increases.

This may cause women to develop dark body hair, facial hair and acne.
Because human eggs are present in women from birth, the eggs are
vulnerable to damage from prolonged marijuana use. Since THC can
accumulate in the reproductive tissues, this can cause problems for a
developing fetus because it is still in danger of being harmed by
active ingredients in THC. It is also known to interfere with cell
division, a process basic to development. This may cause symptoms
similar to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). These symptoms include small
size, varying degrees of mental retardation and abnormalities of the
limbs.

While current marijuana usage has increased by high school seniors,
the proportion of those who believe it is harmful has dropped
dramatically. Marijuana is clearly a harmful drug that poses a threat
to our children at a critical point in their development. If you have
any questions about drugs, or how to talk to your children about drug
abuse, there are many resources available to you in your community.
Please don't hesitate to reach out for help.