What is marijuana?
Marijuana and hashish come from the hemp plant, cannabis sativa. There are numerous chemicals found in marijuana and hashish. 'Cannabinoids' is the name for the family of chemicals found in Marijuana. The primary active ingredient that produces intoxication for the user is Delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol, THC. (THC and Cannabinoids,CBD

How is marijuana used by adolescents?
Usually marijuana can be smoked in a cigarette, which is referred to by drug users as a "joint" or "doobie". A cigar hollowed out and packed with marijuana is referred to as a "Blunt". Marijuana and hash can both be smoked with metal or glass pipes. They can also be smoked from water pipes called "bongs". In addition, they can also be mixed into foods such as brownies or cakes to be ingested. The part of the bong or pipe that is used to hold the marijuana or hash is referred to as the "bowl". Hence the phrase, "lets smoke a bowl."

What are the paraphernalia?
· rolling papers
· pipes made of wood, metal, plastic or glass
· water pipes called " bongs"
· scales for weighing
· joints
· small clips referred to as "roach clips" (used to hold the joint when burning nears the end)
· toke stones (used for smoking joints)

What are the street terms for marijuana/hashish?
Street terms for marijuana/hash are: "pot", "chronic", "bud", "weed", smoke", "grass", bammer", "schwag", "blunt", "leaf", "reefer", "ganja", "gold stamp", "afagani", "black", "shish".

The term "chronic" refers to very potent marijuana on a continuum. The terms "bammer" and "schwag" refers to less potent marijuana on a continuum

How do adolescents refer to other adolescents who are under the influence of marijuana/hashish?
Marijuana -using adolescents refer to people who are under the influence of marijuana as being: "baked", "wasted", "stoned", "lit", "blazed", "faded"

What are the effects of marijuana/hashish use?

Some of the effects which might occur from marijuana and hash are as follows:

SHORT TERM:
· relaxation
· altered perception
· paranoia
· dilated pupils
· impaired concentration & memory
· dry mouth & throat.
· increased heart rate.
· fear & anxiety.
· cravings for sweets, referred to by drug users as, "munchies".

LONG TERM
The following have been found in animal studies with extremely high doses of marijuana. The research is inconclusive and questionable at this point regarding physical effects.
· reduced levels of male & female hormone
· damage to sperm or menstrual cycles
· temporary loss of fertility in men and women
· addiction
· loss of motivation clinically referred to as , "Amotivational syndrome" (this loss of interest in motivation to work, attend school, loss of interest in sports, family, etc can also just be a symptom of drug addiction in general)
· lung damage, cancer, bronchitis
· lowered ability to deal with frustration and other unpleasant feelings
· decrease of immunity against infection
· interferes with emotional growth and the personality development of adolescents
However, the effects it has on a users school, family, legal, finances, employment, self-esteem and other relationships, are what you want to keep in mind.

Can marijuana/hashish users experience withdrawal?
Marijuana users can, but don't always experience withdrawal after using for long periods of time. The symptoms of marijuana withdrawal are loss of appetite, anxiety, nervousness, and sleeping problems. It is not uncommon for a chronic user to say, "if I quit smoking pot, then I will have difficulty falling asleep at night". We see this as testimony to withdrawal for the user, if the difficulty falling asleep did not exist prior to the onset of the drug use in life, or if it is not better accounted for by a sleep disorder.

What is the difference between marijuana today and marijuana from the 1960's?
Marijuana today is significantly different from the marijuana smoked in the 1960's & 1970's. Marijuana in the 1960's was approximately 1% THC (the chemical that produces intoxication), and 4% in the 1970's. Because of technology, such as, hydroponics, plant cloning and sophisticated lighting systems, adolescent drug users in today's society probably have rarely ever smoked marijuana that was less than 10% THC. An increase from 1% to 10% means a 1000% increase in the percentage of THC in marijuana over the past 30 - 40 years.

Why does my adolescent have pictures of drugs on his bedroom walls & clothes?
Adolescents who have a preoccupation with marijuana exhibit it by having pictures depicting marijuana or marijuana paraphernalia on their walls, clothes, shirts, hats, jewelry, and/or they write about it in their school assignments. You might see pictures of beer or other drugs on the walls as well. This might be the symptom of chemical dependency called, preoccupation.

Is their really a day when drug users celebrate their drug use?
Marijuana and other drug users have a designated time to get high. The date is 4-20-## any year. And 4:20 a.m. or p.m. of any day. You might have seen the numbers 420 or heard your child and his friends talking about 420 as a number they would like to have on their license plate, computer user ID, hat, shirt, etc. On "4/20" time or date, drug users get high with the belief that they are a part of a spiritual connection with other drug users who are also getting high at that time. Therefore, it is important to protect your child's sobriety on 4-20-of any year. To read an article from the Sacramento Bee on "420" click here "420"

Do adolescents use drugs in the morning?
As we mentioned, some adolescents will use in the morning. They refer to it as "wake and bake". Thus, this refers to waking up in the morning and getting intoxicated, "baked", from marijuana. If you review the short-term effects of marijuana you will see impaired memory & concentration are experienced by marijuana users This means if your child is smoking marijuana before, during, or after school, then it will thwart his learning process.

Quick Facts about Marijuana for Teens and Parents: http://www.nida.nih.gov/Marijbroch/MarijTeens.html