Marijuana is made of dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the Cannabis Sativa or Cannabis indica plant. You might have heard marijuana called by other names, like "weed" or "pot"
People think that because marijuana is natural, it can't be bad for them. But marijuana has hundreds of chemicals in it that can affect your body in many ways.
How can marijuana affect the brain?
Marijuana changes how the brain works!
Short- Term Effects: 1.) Feel less coordinated and react more slowly 2.) Altered sense of time 3.) Anxiety, fear, distrust, or panic (when taken in high doses) 4.) Feeling hungry 5.) Fast heart rate
Long-Term Effects: 1.) Problems with memory and learning skills 2.) Problems with breathing 3.) Cough and lung sickness 4.) Severe nausea and vomiting
Did you know that using marijuana as as a teen can change how your brain Grows? That's because your brain is still growing until you are 26 years old!
Can you become addicted to marijuana
Yes, you can! Over time, marijuana can change the way your brain works. If you stop using marijuana, your body can get confused and you can start to feel sick. This makes it hard to stop using marijuana. This is called addiction.
Anyone can become addicted to marijuana. It doesn't matter how smart you are or where you live. There is no way to predict who is likely to become addicted.
Is marijuana legal?
Laws about marijuana for recreational use vary state by state but it is NOT legal for teens in any state.
Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
