To learn more about marijuana or

obtain referrals to programs in your

community, contact one of the

following toll-free numbers:

SAMHSA’s National Clearinghouse

for Alcohol and Drug Information

800-729-6686

TDD 800-487-4889

linea gratis en español

877-767-8432

The bottom line: The bottom line: If The bottom line: you know someone who smokes marijuana, urge

him or her to stop or get help. If you're smoking marijuana—stop! The

longer you ignore the real facts, the more chances you take with your

health and well-being.

It's never too late. Talk to your parents, a doctor, a counselor, a

teacher, or another adult you trust.

Do it today!

Q.Isn't smoking marijuana less

dangerous than smoking cigarettes?

A. No. It's even worse. One joint

affects the lungs as much as four

cigarettes.8

Q. Can people become addicted to

marijuana?

A. Yes. Research confirms you can

become hooked on marijuana.

Q.Can marijuana be used as a

medicine?

A. While the active ingredient in

marijuana, THC, can be manufactured in a pill available by prescription to treat nausea and vomiting

associated with certain cancer

treatments, scientists say that more

research needs to be done on its side

effects and other potential medical

uses. 9

Marijuana••••••

Curious about the TV ads of the National Youth

Anti-Drug Media Campaign? Check out the Web site at

www.freevibe.com or visit the Office of National Drug

Control Policy Web site at www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov.
Slang—Weed, Pot, Grass, Reefer, Ganja, Mary Jane, Blunt, Joint, Roach, Nail

pneumonia and other illnesses.6

Stay informed. It has not yet been proven that using

marijuana leads to using other drugs. But very few people

use other drugs without first using marijuana. Teens who

smoke marijuana are more likely to try other drugs, in part

because they have more contact with people who use and

sell them.

Know the risks. Using marijuana or other drugs increases

your risk of injury from car crashes, falls, burns, drowning,

and other accidents.

Keep your edge. Marijuana affects your judgment, drains

your motivation, and can make you feel anxious.

Look around you. Most teens aren't smoking marijuana.

According to a 2002 study, about four out of five 12- to 17-

year-old youths had never even tried marijuana.7

Know the Signs...

How can you tell if a friend is using marijuana? Sometimes it's tough to tell. But there are signs you can look for.

If your friend has one or more of the following warning

signs, he or she may be using marijuana:

• Seeming dizzy and having trouble walking

• Having red, bloodshot eyes and smelly hair and

clothes

• Having a hard time remembering things that just

happened

• Acting silly for no apparent reason

What can you do to help someone who is using marijuana or other drugs? Be a real friend. Encourage your

friend to seek professional help. For information and

referrals, call the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and

Drug Information at 800-729-6686.

Marijuana••••••

Get the Facts...

Marijuana affects your brain. THC (the active ingredient

in marijuana) affects the nerve cells in the part of the brain

where memories are formed.

Marijuana affects your self-control. Marijuana can

seriously affect your sense of time and your coordination,

impacting things like driving. In 2002, nearly 120,000

people were admitted to emergency rooms suffering from

marijuana-related problems, an increase of more than 139

percent since 1995. 1

Marijuana affects your lungs. There are more than 400

known chemicals in marijuana. A single joint contains four

times as much cancer-causing tar as a filtered cigarette.2

Marijuana affects other aspects of your health. Marijuana can limit your body's ability to fight off infection.3

Long-term marijuana use can even increase the risk of

developing certain mental illnesses.4

Marijuana is not always what it seems. Marijuana can

be laced with other dangerous drugs without your knowledge. “Blunts”—hollowed-out cigars filled with marijuana—sometimes have substances such as crack cocaine,

PCP, or embalming fluid added.

Marijuana can be addictive. Not everyone who uses

marijuana becomes addicted, but some users do develop

signs of dependence. In 1999, more than 220,000 people

entered drug treatment programs to kick their marijuana

habit.5

Before You Risk It...

Know the law. It is illegal to buy or sell marijuana. In

most States, holding even small amounts of marijuana can

lead to fines or arrest.

Get the facts. Smoking any substance—tobacco, marijuana, or crack cocaine—increases your risk of developing

Revised in 2004

For more information go to www.ncadi.samhsa.gov