What is Marijuana?

Do you have questions about drug or alcohol treatment? Please call us at 866-616-0069. We will happy to answer any questions you may have.

One of the most widely abused illicit drugs in the United States

Marijuana, also known as Cannabis, is one of the most widely abused illicit drugs in the United States. Marijuana is a drug that is extracted from the Cannabis plant, and consists of dried flowers, stems, seeds, and leaves. The active chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and the amount of THC in marijuana varies from one percent to about twenty two percent. In some states there are medical marijuana laws which allow people given permission by their doctors to consume the substance, and overall, recreational and medical use of marijuana is steadily increasing.

Useful Resources

http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/mari.html – a page that explains what marijuana is, as well as its effects on the nervous system (great for kids, very easy to understand)

http://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/marijuana.html – an article from the National Institute on Drug Abuse containing facts about marijuana

http://www.ppws.vt.edu/scott/weed_id/cnisa.htm – a description of the Cannabis sativa plant with pictures included

http://healthyhorns.utexas.edu/marijuana.html – a great question and answer section about marijuana, as well as a marijuana self assessment test

http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/marijuana.html – the United States Drug Enforcement Administration background information on marijuana

Marijuana Awareness & Prevention / Keeping Kids Off Drugs

Due to the steady increase in marijuana use, awareness and prevention programs are being implemented on a daily basis, especially those geared toward teaching children the importance of abstaining from drug use. A study done in 2007 by the National Institute on Drug Abuse showed that over forty percent of high school seniors have used marijuana at least once in their lifetime, and about sixty-three percent of the two million people that use marijuana for the first time each day are under eighteen years of age, so it is very important to teach kids to stay off drugs.

http://www.stopteendrugaddiction.com/ - a great prevention website set up by parent Christy Crandall after the arrest of her son who was battling drug and alcohol addiction

http://www.drugabuse.gov/prevention/principles.html – a set of principles and protective factors that help prevent drug abuse among adolescents

http://www.dare.com/home/default.asp – information from the national Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program taught in schools all around the country

http://nrepp.samhsa.gov/ - a database of prevention, intervention, and treatment options for people suffering from substance abuse and mental disorders

http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n956/a03.html?117 – a great article by the Wall Street Journal about the best ways to keep kids off drugs

How To Tell If Your Child Is Using

As with almost any drug, there are many signs that indicate the use of marijuana. These signs can be physical as well as physiological, and it is very important for parent to be aware of the signs of possible drug use.

http://www.msde.md.gov/NR/exeres/B90E498F-23D7-4A01-92F5-1FF2FEAB6F34,frameless.htm?Year=2004&Month=6%%3E – a study done at the University of Maryland together with the State Education Department of Maryland about warning signs of early marijuana use in adolescents

http://www.middlebury.edu/campuslife/services/healthed/drugs/marijuana.htm – a great guide on how to determine if a student is under the influence of marijuana

http://parentingteens.about.com/cs/drugsofabuse/a/driug_abuse20.htm – a list of warning signs of teenage drug use in the home, and in school, as well as a list of physical and emotional signs of drug use

http://www.theantidrug.com/EI/signs_symptoms.asp – a site for parents that has a watchlist of signs of teen drinking and drug abuse

Marijuana Addiction Treatment

If you or someone you know has an addiction to marijuana, there are many treatment options available, ranging from outpatient services, to detox, to entering a rehabilitation facility.

http://dasis3.samhsa.gov/ - a great substance abuse treatment facility locater from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (locater covers all 50 states)

http://www.research.vt.edu/resmag/1998mag/marijuana.html – a study of the effectiveness of short-term versus long-term treatment for marijuana abuse

http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org/ - part of the narcotics anonymous program, with a focus specifically on marijuana, the site has information on the 12 step program, and where to find meetings

Medical Marijuana

There is an ongoing debate bout whether or not marijuana should be legal for use in the medical field. Many doctors will tell you that marijuana can be safely used to help relieve pain from chronic illnesses, while others completely disagree with this theory. While medical marijuana is an option in a few states, the majority of states do not allow marijuana dispensaries even for medical purposes.

http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/ - an argument on both sides of the use of medical marijuana, this site states pros and cons for many questions having to do with medical marijuana use

http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana/medical/ - facts on the use of medical marijuana, including information on how federal law effects the medical marijuana laws in any given state

http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/DrugFact/factsht/medical_marijuana.html – a list of reasons why medical marijuana use should not be permitted

http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/issues/marijuana.html – the debate over whether medical marijuana should be legalized

Federal Drug Laws

Drug laws vary from state to state so it is important to know the laws in your state, as well as any other state that you might travel to. Federal laws also differ from state laws and ultimately overrule state laws.

http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/index.htm – Federal Drug Enforcement Administration's site, has information on drug laws, and drug statistics and facts

http://www.uwstout.edu/aod/laws/index.html – a brief explanation of some of the federal drug laws

http://www.erowid.org/psychoactives/law/law.shtml – drug law and policy information on the state and federal level

Additional Anti-Drug Resources

http://www.freevibe.com/Drug_Facts/free-resources.asp – site which was set up to provide teens with knowledge to prevent drug and alcohol abuse

http://www.jointogether.org/resources/teachersguide-the-resource.html – education resources for teachers developed by the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign

http://www.mediacampaign.org/ - The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign

http://www.aap.org/family/subabuse.htm – preventing substance abuse in children, by the American Academy of Pediatrics

Questions? Call Now! 1-866-616-0069