JUST THE FACTS
Marijuana
Q: What is marijuana?
A: Marijuana is a drug that has many street names – grass, weed, dope, pot, Mary Jane - but whatever it is called it remains the same thing. Marijuana comes from the same plant that is the source of hashish and hashish oil. The scientific name for this plant is Cannabis sativa which is why marijuana and hashish are both called cannabis.
Q: What does marijuana and hashish do to the body?
A: If it is smoked, the effects of marijuana and hashish are felt quickly. Marijuana and hashish contain a chemical called THC that has an impact on the brain and the heart. In the brain, it affects moods and physical functions controlled by the brain. It causes the heart to beat faster and produces changes in blood pressure.
Q: What is THC?
A: THC (Tetrahdrocannabinol) is the mind-altering chemical in marijuana. There are 421 chemicals in marijuana. THC loves “fatty tissue” and stores in your fat cells for a long time. It attaches to the cells in our brain, blood, respiratory system and reproductive system (reduces the number of sperm in men).
Q: What are some of the other effects of marijuana and hashish?
A: Because it has an effect on the brain, marijuana and hashish can mess up your ability to think straight and even to remember what happened when you were high. It can also interfere with your reaction time, coordination and ability to make judgments. These factors make it very dangerous to drive when high.
Q: How long do these effects last?
A: If you smoke cannabis, you will probably feel the “high” quickly, and it will last two to four hours. If you eat it, the high happens later, and you feel it for a longer time.
Q: What happens when people use marijuana and hashish over a long period of time?
A: This is an area that is still being studied but we do 
know that marijuana and hashish smoke are similar to tobacco smoke in some ways. Like tobacco, smoking marijuana or hashish will eventually damage the lungs. It can also play a part in leaving the body vulnerable to diseases that interfere with breathing such as bronchitis.
There is no complete proof that marijuana or hashish cause lung cancer but a lot of research has found evidence that they do. What we do know for sure is that people who smoke cigarettes and marijuana have a greater risk of developing cancer than people who smoke only cigarettes or only marijuana.
Heavy use of marijuana and hashish may lead to difficulty remembering things and concentrating. It can also lead to a lack of motivation and a general loss of interest.
Q: Is it a problem if pregnant women use marijuana?
A: Yes. Marijuana can cause mothers to give birth before their babies are fully developed. Children whose mothers smoke marijuana while pregnant may also develop learning problems as they get older.
© Watari Youth Day Treatment Program
Adapted from 2001-2002 AADAC – Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission, corp.aadac.com
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