Marijuana This Lesson Plan Produced By Your Drug Demand Reduction Program 1.

MarijuanaMarijuanaThis Lesson Plan Produced By Your Drug Demand Reduction This Lesson Plan Produced By Your Drug Demand Reduction

ProgramProgram

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What is Marijuana?What is Marijuana?

Most often used illegal drug in this countryMost often used illegal drug in this country Product of hemp plant, cannabis sativaProduct of hemp plant, cannabis sativa Main active chemical in marijuana, also Main active chemical in marijuana, also

present in other forms of cannabis, is THC present in other forms of cannabis, is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol)(delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol)

Of roughly 400 chemicals found in the Of roughly 400 chemicals found in the cannabis plant, THC affects the brain the cannabis plant, THC affects the brain the mostmost

What Does It Look Like?What Does It Look Like?

Marijuana is a green or gray mixture Marijuana is a green or gray mixture of dried, shredded flowers and of dried, shredded flowers and leaves of the hemp plant (cannabis leaves of the hemp plant (cannabis sativa)sativa)

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How It Appears How It Appears

What are some of the signs What are some of the signs that a person is using that a person is using

marijuana?marijuana?

Can change the Can change the brain’s limbic brain’s limbic system that impacts:system that impacts: LearningLearning MemoryMemory Sensory experiences Sensory experiences

with emotions and with emotions and motivationsmotivations

Learned behaviors Learned behaviors also deterioratesalso deteriorates

May have the same May have the same respiratory respiratory problems that problems that smokers have:smokers have: Daily cough and Daily cough and

phlegmphlegm Chronic bronchitisChronic bronchitis Frequent chest Frequent chest

coldscolds

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Some Short-term EffectsSome Short-term Effects

Dry mouth and throatDry mouth and throat Problems with memory and learning, distorted Problems with memory and learning, distorted

perception (sights, sounds, time, touch)perception (sights, sounds, time, touch) Trouble with thinking and problem solving, Trouble with thinking and problem solving,

loss of motor coordination, increased heart loss of motor coordination, increased heart rate, and anxiety rate, and anxiety

Similar lack of coordination as a drunk driver Similar lack of coordination as a drunk driver Above effects are even greater when other Above effects are even greater when other

drugs are mixed with marijuana drugs are mixed with marijuana

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Some Long-term EffectsSome Long-term Effects

Similar cancer-causing compounds as Similar cancer-causing compounds as tobacco, sometimes in higher tobacco, sometimes in higher concentrations concentrations

Smoking five joints per week may be Smoking five joints per week may be taking in as many cancer-causing taking in as many cancer-causing chemicals as someone who smokes a full chemicals as someone who smokes a full pack of cigarettes every daypack of cigarettes every day

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What is the DEA Federal What is the DEA Federal Classification Schedule for Classification Schedule for

marijuana?marijuana?

Marijuana is listed as a DEA Federal Marijuana is listed as a DEA Federal Classification Schedule I drug, meaning it Classification Schedule I drug, meaning it

is in the group of the most highly is in the group of the most highly addictive drugs.addictive drugs.

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Penalties for PossessionPenalties for Possession

Penalties for possession of marijuana vary Penalties for possession of marijuana vary based on several factors:based on several factors: QuantityQuantity SellingSelling GrowingGrowing LocationLocation

First offense: Large fine and/or jail First offense: Large fine and/or jail timetime

Second offense: Punishment is harsherSecond offense: Punishment is harsher

As a member of CAP, what As a member of CAP, what should you do if you know should you do if you know

someone who is using someone who is using marijuana?marijuana?

Notify one of the following:Notify one of the following:

Deputy Commander for Cadets / Cadet Deputy Commander for Cadets / Cadet Programs OfficerPrograms Officer

Chaplain / Moral Leadership OfficerChaplain / Moral Leadership Officer

Unit CommanderUnit Commander

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Why do people use Why do people use marijuana?marijuana?

Curiosity. Curiosity.

Stress. Stress.

To get out of a depression. To get out of a depression.

To fit in. To fit in.

Temporarily solve problems. Temporarily solve problems.

To not care.To not care.

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What are some of the ways you What are some of the ways you can say “No” to drugs without can say “No” to drugs without

isolating yourself?isolating yourself?

Nah, Dude!Nah, Dude!

That’s whack, man!That’s whack, man!

Are you stupid?Are you stupid?

Get that away from me!Get that away from me!

You can’t be serious.You can’t be serious.

That’s illegal!That’s illegal!

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Summary Summary

Marijuana can cause cancer and death Marijuana can cause cancer and death Even casual use can cause numerous Even casual use can cause numerous

health problems for you and those around health problems for you and those around youyou

DO NOT SMOKE MARIJUANADO NOT SMOKE MARIJUANA Get involved in activities/organizations that Get involved in activities/organizations that

are drug free are drug free You will have a more productive life, a You will have a more productive life, a

better life and a much longer life by staying better life and a much longer life by staying clean clean

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Lesson Plan ResourcesLesson Plan Resources

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Available at Available at www.dea.govwww.dea.gov

National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA)National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) Available at Available at www.drugfree.orgwww.drugfree.org

Don’t march with these guys,

say NO to drugs!

DEAD MEN WALKING

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