WHY IS MARIJUANA
​NOT SAFE?

Marijuana contains THC. When marijuana is smoked, THC, a mind altering drug, quickly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream, which carries it to organs throughout the body, including the brain. Marijuana triggers the release of dopamine in the brain’s reward centers, creating the pleasurable feelings or “highs,” although, it also comes with the negative effects of changes in mood, lack of coordination, difficulty with thinking and disrupts learning and memory. A recent study followed people from age 13 to 38 and found that those who used marijuana a lot in their teens had up to an 8 point drop in IQ, even if they quit in adulthood. 
​(Zalesky A, Solowij N, Yücel M, et al. Effect of long-term cannabis use on axonal fibre connectivity. Brain)

MARIJUANA USE IS DANGEROUS

In 2016,  over 35% of 9th graders and 60% of 11th grade students in Eaton County reported that marijuana was easily accessible and available. While we continue to work in partnership with law enforcement and schools to reduce access, it is positive to see 93% of 9th graders and about 88% of 11th graders reported high parental disapproval of marijuana use (2016 Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth Survey). The more students perceive that use is risky, that use is wrong, or that their parents disapprove, the better. Our Coalition has learned that even as teens, children care about what parents say. We advise parents to support a no-use attitude. Communicate and be open with your teen, guide them on the importance of healthy behaviors and establish clear and specific rules about not using marijuana. We encourage parents to remind youth Marijuana is still illegal in Michigan.

Cannabis on the Teenage Brain

We encourage you to watch this short animated video from the National Cannabis Prevention and Information Center. This video highlights the effects negative effects of marijuana on the brain. Brain development, adolescence and short and long-term effects of cannabis/weed/pot are explained in a simple language.

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