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Effects of Marijuana

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Effects of Marijuana Jesse Artis Marijuana is the most commonly abused illicit drug in the United States. The main active chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC for short. It is a dry, shredded green and brown mix of flowers, stems, seeds, and leaves. When most people smoke marijuana they empty out a cigar and use the leaf to roll the marijuana in. There are harmful chemicals in the cigar leaf that contains toxic chemicals. Marijuana does have a major effect on the brain. When a person smokes marijuana, THC is entered into the lungs and then passed into the bloodstream. Once its in the bloodstream the chemical is transferred to the brain and other organs in the body. People then experience the “high” feeling. Marijuana intoxication can cause distorted perceptions, impaired coordination, difficulty with thinking and problem solving, and problems with learning and memory. Research has shown that in chronic users, marijuana has an impact on learning and memory and it can last for days or weeks after the effects of the drug wear off. As a result, someone who smokes marijuana every day may not be functioning at his or her full potential. Marijuana increases heart rate by 20-100 percent shortly after smoking; this effect can last up to 3 hours. Other studies have shown marijuana smoke to contain carcinogens and to be an irritant to the lungs. Marijuana smoke contains 50-70% more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke. People who smoke usually inhale more deeply and hold their breath longer than tobacco smokers do, which further increase the lungs' exposure to carcinogenic smoke. People may think marijuana has no effect on a person but it does if you really look at the research.
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