Clear The Air Geena Fontanarosa and Ty Sells Youth To Youth International
Goals Learn a practical way to teach high school students accurate and relevant information about marijuana. Learn a strategy to debunk many of the myths about marijuana and it s safety. Learn what works and what doesn t work when addressing this topic. Have some fun.
A New Way to Talk About Pot It used to be so easy. New World, New Challenges. Google it. How do we get them to listen? Keep it effective.
Keep It Effective! Prevention. Stop before it starts. Delay the onset. Positive Focus. No Scare Tactics. Brain Games Stay Focused on what DOES happen not what CAN happen. What s Normal? No pun intended.
The POWER of Information: Knowledge Is Power?
Information has POWER if it is: Accurate Relevant Receivable (No Judgment, Preaching, Lecturing) Interesting (Delivered in a different way) Engaging (They are part of the dialogue) Practical (They can apply what they learn.) Memorable (The Lesson of the Magician)
The Magician s Trick
Classification/Type of drug Marijuana is a part of the CANNABINOID category. However, it is hard to nail down a specific classification for marijuana since it is known to have many different effects on the abuser and because we know very little about all of the chemicals in marijuana. Marijuana is known to be a stimulant, depressant, and a hallucinogen. Stimulant: Some users report being able to focus better or be more alert when using the drug. Depressant: From the outside looking in, this seems to make the most sense. As marijuana is known to have a relaxing, euphoric like effect, as well as be a contributing factor to Amotivational syndrome. Hallucinogen: People who have abused a hallucinogenic such as LSD often experience marijuana triggered flashbacks 1. It is also thought that people who say they experience a hallucination while smoking marijuana, aren t just smoking marijuana, but that it is laced with a hallucinogenic drug that is unknown to them. Doweiko, H. (2010). Marijuana Abuse and Addiction. In Concepts of Chemical Dependency (8th ed., p. 122-135). Cengage Learning.
Classification/ Type of drug This chart shows how cannabis is different and separate from any other drug. This can be attributed to the fact that marijuana contains over 400 chemicals (before it s lit) of which 61 or more are psychoactive, but research has only been able to identify two of them, THC and CBD. (Doweiko, 125).
Drug Schedule Marijuana is a schedule 1 drug. Schedule 1 drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Schedule I drugs are the most dangerous drugs of all the drug schedules with potentially severe psychological or physical dependence (US Drug Enforcement Association). This is a highly controversial topic in that many people believe marijuana can be effective when it comes to treating or helping with some medical issues. So there has been discussion of moving it to a schedule 2 drug.
Common street names Marijuana has many street names such as: Weed, pot, MJ, reefer, ganja, hydro, Maryjane, gas, loud, grass, herb, chronic. These are just some of the more common names, however there are many more street names for marijuana.
Common Methods of Use The two most common methods of use are inhalation and ingestion. Inhalation: Most commonly people smoke marijuana, whether it is in the form of a joint, blunt or in a bong. Ingestion: People have also been known to bake marijuana in brownies or cookies then eat them. There is also another method of use that may not be quite as common but it is becoming more widespread. It is also inhalation, but just a different form of marijuana. The honey-like resin from the marijuana plant has 3 to 5 times more THC than the plant itself. Smoking it (also called dabbing ) can potentially lead to dangerous levels of intoxication requiring emergency treatment. People have been burned in fires and explosions caused by attempts to extract hash oil using butane (lighter fluid) (NIDA,2015). Hash-oil is commonly used by rubbing it on the inside of the joint or blunt paper, then filling it with marijuana, then smoking it.
Observable Impact on Behavior What do others notice? They may seem to be calm or drowsy-like. It s possible they would seem anxious, especially in a first-time user. There may be a loss of coordination and slower reaction time. They may seem to be hungry, also known as the munchies, and thirsty due to the cotton mouth effect. Although it is not a behavior, others would notice red eye while a person is high. Doweiko, H. (2010). Marijuana Abuse and Addiction. In Concepts of Chemical Dependency (8th ed., p. 122-135). Cengage Learning.
Effects Sought by User What would user feel? Many marijuana users seek the feeling of euphoria and relaxation. Others use it to get rid of pain. Some use it to relieve anxiety even though marijuana has also been known to cause anxiety. Marijuana has also been known as an antiemetic, so people who may have nausea and vomiting symptoms might use marijuana to get rid of those symptoms. Doweiko, H. (2010). Marijuana Abuse and Addiction. In Concepts of Chemical Dependency (8th ed., p. 122-135). Cengage Learning.
Effects Sought by User How does this work? When marijuana is smoked, the active compound, THC, travels through the body, including the brain. THC attaches to sites called cannabinoid receptors on nerve cells in the brain. (Doweiko, 126) Cannabinoid receptors are abundant in the parts of the brain that control movement, coordination, learning and memory, high cognitive functions such as judgment and pleasure. (NIDA, 2015) The next page shows two charts. One chart shows a structural comparison between the brain s chemical Anandamide and THC. The similarity in structure allows THC to be recognized by the body and to alter normal brain communication. The other charts shows the different parts of the brain THC effects and what each of those different parts control. (NIDA, 2015)
Effects Sought by User How does this work?
TA DA! Let s look at a different way!
Let s Ask Them. What messages are you receiving from friends? Is pot a big deal? Is it safe or unsafe? What do you know for sure?
Safe Not as bad as alcohol etc. Natural. Legal. Medicinal. Can t overdose. No one has ever died of it. Not addictive.
Not as bad as (insert other drug here) The problem is in the argument. Is not as bad, the same as Safe? Use other dangerous things in varying degrees to show fault in the argument. So can we take it off the board?
Natural Seems so simple that it almost makes sense. God, gave it to us man. Can anyone in here brainstorm other natural things that AREN T safe? So does natural mean safe? So can we take that off the board?
Legal Is it legal anywhere for teens? Can you name other legal items that if they are misused can still be unsafe? Does just being Legal make something safe? Can we take it off the board?
Legislation and Legal Consequences Marijuana is an extremely controversial legal topic for many reasons. Not a single country has legalized marijuana. In the United States marijuana is decriminalized on the federal level but still an illegal substance. 23 states and DC have medical marijuana programs, 12 of those are voter initiatives and 11 are general assembly limits. Alaska has 1oz. Or 6 plant limit, Oregon has a 24 oz. or 12 plant limit. 4 states have no tax, Nevada has 8.1% tax. Medical marijuana programs differ greatly. 4 states and DC (kind of) have legalized recreational use, Colorado and Washington were first the first 2. Alaska and Oregon legalized recreational use last November but their programs are not fully running yet. DC overwhelming voted to legalize it however Congress overruled that, with it being federally illegal. CBD states (passed for children with extreme seizures), 11 states have legalized families being able to receive CBD oil for their children. However CBD is not known to be very reliable for a widespread of children. Coder, T. (Director) (2015, January 18). Marijuana: The Laws They are A-Changing. Webinar. Lecture conducted from Drug Free Action Alliance, Columbus.
Legislation and Legal Consequences Legal possession amounts for states that have legalized marijuana for recreational use: Colorado 2oz. for a patient, 1oz. for a citizen, ¼ oz. for a visitor or noncitizen, can make multiple visits a day, 25% tax rate, can give it away and grow your own, up to 3 plants. Washington 1oz. for any person, 16oz. solid infused object, 72oz. liquid infused product, 25% tax rate, can t give it away, can t grow it, medical marijuana may disappear. Alaska 1oz. for any person, can grow 6 plants, allows paraphernalia to be sold, taxes $50 per ounce. Oregon 8oz. for any person, can gift but not sell, marijuana dispensaries available, can grow up to 4 plants, taxes $35/oz. for flowers, $10/oz. for leaves, $5 for immature plants. DC Congress did not allow this to go through however city council is trying to push through with it anyway. Soft legalization, 2oz. per person, 6 plants per adult, 12 plants per household, does not legalize sales. Coder, T. (Director) (2015, January 18). Marijuana: The Laws They are A-Changing. Webinar. Lecture conducted from Drug Free Action Alliance, Columbus.
Medicinal Stop saying medical marijuana. Do we say medical opium? What other medicines have we voted for? Who is going to be helped? Missing endorsements
Medicinal Continued Who is actually using it? Why? Trojan Horse. Who will benefit most? 2.5oz every days = 183 or 13/day Check out the advertising? Can we take it off the board?
Not Addictive Is It? Many people believe that marijuana is not addictive. However we know this not to be true. 1 in 11. Similar to alcohol. Is alcohol addictive? It is estimated that 1 in 6 people who start using as a teen, and 25% to 50% of those who use it every day, become addicted
Addiction Potential and Associated Withdrawal Symptoms What determines if a person becomes addicted or not to marijuana depends on many factors such as genetics, age of first use, use of other drugs, relationships and their environment. Withdrawal symptoms may include: Irritability, sleeplessness, lack of appetite, anxiety and drug cravings. These symptoms can last for several days to a few weeks after use of marijuana has stopped. Relapse is common during this period because of the craving to relieve these withdrawal symptoms. Can we take it off the board? Doweiko, H. (2010). Marijuana Abuse and Addiction. In Concepts of Chemical Dependency (8th ed., p. 122-135). Cengage Learning.
No One Has Ever Died From It / Can t Overdose. Recent stories have changed dying argument. But let s still ignore that. I ll give you that one. Name one person to O.D. I will if you will. Can we take it off the board?
Overdose While overdose should be a conversation when it comes to many drugs of abuse, it is not necessarily a relevant topic when it comes to marijuana. A 160 pound person would need to smoke 900 joints (about.02 mg each) simultaneously to reach the lethal level. (Doweiko, 130) Due to this low overdose potentially we should focus more on the negative long and short term effects. For example, smoking marijuana while driving can be deadly in that it is the equivalent to having a BAC level between.07% and.1%. (Doweiko, 130) Another example, you have never heard of someone overdosing on fast food, yet obesity is the leading preventable cause of illness and death in the U.S. (CDC,2011)
Unsafe Though I know this will never happen to you. I.Q. Why couldn t I be more like Dennis? Potential long term impact.
Potential Long Term Effects Marijuana has many potential long term effects. While it may also have medicinal agents, the question becomes is it worth some of the other long term effects to fix the problem. Many people also believe that smoking marijuana is much safer than smoking cigarettes, however marijuana smokers are exposed to almost every toxin found in tobacco on top of those found in marijuana. (Doweiko) The next three slides will discuss long term effects in each of theses areas: Physiological physical health problems Psychological mental and emotional health problems Social Interpersonal damage
Physiological Physical Health Problems MRI technology has found that chronic marijuana smokers had an approximate 12% reduction in volume of the hippocampus and a 6% reduction in the size of the amygdala. These regions have many cannabinoid receptors and there was a clear relationship between duration of marijuana use and the degree of shrinkage. Suppressed REM sleep, which can have a huge impact on one s physical, mental and emotional health. Coughing and wheezing, similar to that of a cigarette smoker. Cancer, specifically of the mouth tongue and throat due to marijuana containing the same carcinogens as in cigarettes, just in higher amounts. Respiratory disease such as COPD, due to inhaling longer and deeper. It can lower one s sperm count, lower testosterone levels and reduce testicle size in male abusers. Cardiac arrhythmias can also be caused by chronic marijuana use. Periodontal disease, it was reported that after 903 examinations in young adults they found periodontal disease in 32% who used marijuana at least once a week, in 12% of those who used less frequently than once a week, and in only 4% of nonusers. Doweiko, H. (2010). Marijuana Abuse and Addiction. In Concepts of Chemical Dependency (8th ed., p. 122-135). Cengage Learning.
Psychological Mental and Emotional Health Problems Schizophrenia The age in which a person begins to use is a huge contributing factor to this. Research found that people who began using marijuana, especially before age 15, had a higher incidence later in life to develop schizophrenia. Suppressed REM sleep, which can have a huge impact on one s physical, mental and emotional health. Hallucinations, this may only be due to previous use of a hallucinogen and/or the marijuana being laced with a hallucinogen. Cognitive brain dysfunctions such as memory loss, and being able to learn new material are results of marijuana abuse. Short attention span, decreased drive and ambition, easy distractibility and a tendency not to make plans beyond the present day, summed up to be amotivational syndrome. Doweiko, H. (2010). Marijuana Abuse and Addiction. In Concepts of Chemical Dependency (8th ed., p. 122-135). Cengage Learning.
Social Interpersonal Damage Marijuana use can effect your job, in that you have a lack of motivation, you may be calling off or arrive late often. It can also effect your effectiveness in school, with not being able to recall things you ve learned, not being able to learn new things, lack of motivation to finish work, this could lead to low self-esteem and depression. Marijuana could effects your relationships, whether it s with family, friends or a significant other.
DON T Make it personal. Engage extended debate with those that have made up their mind. Know it all.
Bibliography Doweiko, H. (2010). Marijuana Abuse and Addiction. In Concepts of Chemical Dependency (8th ed., p. 122-135). Cengage Learning. Marijuana. (2015, February 17). Retrieved February 21, 2015, from http://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/marijuana DEA / Drug Scheduling. (n.d.). Retrieved February 23, 2015, from http://www.dea.gov/druginfo/ds.shtml Coder, T. (Director) (2015, January 18). Marijuana: The Laws They are A-Changing. Webinar. Lecture conducted from Drug Free Action Alliance, Columbus. Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition). (2012, December 1). Retrieved February 20, 2015, from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment/evidencebased-approaches-to-drug-addiction-treatment/behavioral-therapies The Importance of Addiction Support Groups - Treatment Solutions. (2009, July 29). Retrieved February 21, 2015, from http://www.treatmentsolutions.com/the-importance-of-addiction-support-groups/ Behavioral Health Barometer. (2014). Retrieved February 22, 2015, from http:// www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/state_bhbarometers_2014_2/bhbarometer-oh.pdf