Raising awareness on

Cannabis (Marijuana) Misuse

Cannabis (Marijuana) is a greenish-gray mixture of dried flowers of Cannabis sativa. The main psychoactive, or mind-altering, chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Cannabidiol (CBD) comes from hemp or non-hemp plants, and is any part of the cannabis sativa plant with no more than 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

RESOURCES

Marijuana and Cannabis

Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) Misuse

Cannabis use directly affects brain function, specifically, parts of the brain responsible for learning, attention, decision-making, coordination, emotions, and reaction time. Developing brains (under the age of 25) may experience long-term or possibly permanent adverse changes as a result of cannabis exposure.

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SHORT TERM

Anxious
Panic
Dry mouth
Fear and Paranoia
Hallucinations
Feeling unmotivated
Excited
Short-term memory problems
Bloodshot eyes
Relaxed
Calm
Lowered reaction time
Loss of sense of person identity
Increased heart rate

RESOURCE

Drug Free World – Short Term Effects

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LONG TERM

Decline in IQ
Poor school performance
Impaired thinking
Impaired ability to learn and perform complex tasks
Lower life satisfaction
Addiction
Antisocial behaviors
Difficulty obtaining or maintaining employment

RESOURCE

Drug Free World – Short Term Effects

Among college students, 44% reported using marijuana in the past year in 2020, compared to 38% in 2015, representing a significant increase
– NHI, 2021

Potential Impact

Of Cannabis(Marijuana) use among College Students

N

Athletic Performance

Failing a required drug test for college athletes which results in no longer being eligible to play

N

Missed Career Opportunities

Failing a drug test required for employment resulting in a loss of employment

N

Attendance

Skipping classes and missing events

N

Academic Performance

Not completing assignments, not doing well on exams, and lack of motivation to complete school work

Methods of Use

Potency of Cannabis

Inhalation

Onset occurs within a few seconds to a few minutes of inhaling.
Full effects can peak within 30 minutes.
Duration of effects can last up to 6 hours, with residual effects lasting up to 24 hours

Ingestible

Onset occurs within 30 minutes to 2 hours of ingesting.
Full effects can peak within 4 hours.
Duration of effects can last up to 12 hours after use, with residual effects lasting up to 24 hours.

Topical

Onset occurs within minutes of use.
Duration of effects last approximately 2 hours.

Concentrate

Highly concentrated form of cannabis containing higher THC content than other forms of cannabis.
Onset is immediate, while the duration of effects usually last about 3 hours.