Marijuana Facts from Above the Influence

From: http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/

It's a plant, so it's natural, and natural is always good-right? Think again, because both natural and synthetic versions of marijuana can cause a long-lasting, negative impact on your developing brain.

AKA

Blunt, dope, ganja, grass, herb, joint, bud, Mary Jane, pot, reefer, green, trees, smoke, sinsemilla, skunk, weed, hash, tea, chronic, 420

 

What is it?

A green and brown mix of dried flowers, stems, seeds and leaves from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa.³⁹ The main active chemical is THC (tretrahydrocannabinol), which moves quickly through the bloodstream to the brain and other organs throughout the body. Marijuana is a mild hallucinogen that can also act as a depressant or a stimulant.

The Risks

You may hear people ask, "If it's dangerous, why do so many people have medical marijuana cards?" It's true that scientists have determined that the cannabis plant has the potential for addressing a range of medical conditions. But it's also true that when you're young and your body is still growing, marijuana actually has the potential of inflicting a long-lasting, negative impact on your developing brain.


Using marijuana at a young age can result in structural and functional deficits of the brain. This could cause you to develop weakened verbal and communication skills, lowered learning capabilities and a shortened attention span.

LONG-TERM EFFECTS

In addition to the possible effects on your brain, smoking marijuana may also be hazardous to your developing lungs. Marijuana smoke contains 50% to 70% more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke.


You may have heard people argue that marijuana is a "gateway drug" to harder drug use. Some say this is a myth, others insist it is a fact. The truth is that there is a link. Research shows that the earlier you start using marijuana, the more likely you are to become dependent on it or other types of drugs later in life.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Some movies and music make "stoner" culture seem cool, natural and like it's not a big deal. But if being fit and getting good grades are some of your goals, using marijuana can become a big deal, fast. Marijuana limits your brain's effectiveness, slows your thinking and impairs your coordination. A number of studies have also shown an association between chronic marijuana use and increased rates of anxiety, depression and schizophrenia.

Again and Again and Again….

Our story always gets better! So I was having some company the other day and naturally decided to do some housecleaning. The worst room in the house? My 17-year-old’s, of course. She was at work, so I did the usual stuff—picked up the dirty clothes and put them in the hamper, threw away the abundant trash, made the bed…then I needed to vacuum, so I picked up the random junk off the floor, including a nice small box by the side of her bed.

I opened it and it STUNK from marijuana. The box was her stash—a glass pipe with sticky residue, a few boxes that sift out the leaves, a little baggie of pot, and general paraphernalia. I’m sure they all have names; I just don’t know what they are. After pacing a good bit and cursing out loud, I texted her to call me ASAP.

She did what you’d think, the typical bullsh*t—pretended that she forgot about it, said she hadn’t even smoked in soooo long, claimed it wasn’t hers…etc. I told her I was throwing it out and she angrily said that was fine, but I should save the boxes so she could give them to someone. I screamed and carried on and told her how disappointed I am. She, on the other hand, was cold and didn’t apologize or react the way I’d hoped. She was entirely stoic, which is the wrong response in my opinion.

I’m ridiculous, possibly weak—I actually washed them in the dishwasher, scrubbed out the box, and let her dispose of them as she saw fit. They’re not in my house or her car, but I still should’ve thrown them out anyway. I know it, but I didn’t do it. You don’t have to beat me up; I already have.

I feel like it’s all hopeless. I try so hard to trust my child, try to give her the benefit of the doubt because she can be loving, lovely, and lucid—but sometimes I think she has a borderline personality and cannot empathize  and have normal emotions that don’t involve herself.