Effects on the Immune System

Since marijuana may seriously damage the immune system, it is not really a good drug for HIV or cancer patients. Marijuana interferes with white blood cells, which fight bacteria and virus infections. Marijuana and tobacco users have lower levels of Vitamin E, an antioxidant which has a very important role in the body.

Marijuana and Reproduction

Marijuana has been linked to premature births and birth defects. Woman should not use marijuana during pregnancy because the drug can create problems for the unborn fetus. When scientists (Cohn, 1986) exposed mice to marijuana smoke (3 minutes each day for 10 days), they found 1 in 5 babies had birth defects. They also found 75% of the mice had damaged or dead eggs. Marijuana can block blood vessels and, because of its depressant effects, can cause impotence  and decreased sperm count in men. Because marijuana acts like estrogen, the female hormone, heavy marijuana use can cause men to get enlarged breasts.

Marijuana and Economics

Many people say marijuana is an herb; it is natural so it can't be bad. Why do you think people say that? People sell the message that drugs aren't bad so that they can make money. Tobacco is a plant and it kills more people than any other drug. It has been "sold" by tobacco advertising as attractive end healthy. Before you use a drug, think about why people are trying so hard to convince you it is good for you.

When someone selling marijuana says, "Marijuana is good for you; it's safer than taking other drugs," they probably want you to buy the drug so they can get your money. When someone who is using marijuana says, "Use marijuana; it’s great!", that person wants you to use it so they won't feel alone. When pictures of marijuana are shown on clothing, it is positive advertising for the growers, and this also makes users feel they are "all right;" they aren't alone.

Marijuana and Problems

Today many young people say they have become so "stressed out" they use marijuana to forget about their problems. Does marijuana really help change the problem? Which goes away if you use marijuana--problems or money? Everyone has problems in life. Everyone has obstacles to overcome. Everyone has good things and bad things happen to them. It is how you are able to handle the problem and what you learn from the experience that is going to determine whether you have that problem again.

For example: Student A only studies 2 hours for a test and doesn't do well. Student A gets upset; this is a problem. What lesson is learned? Probably that the student needs to study more than 2 hours in order to do well.

Now, Student A learns that another student, student B, did very well on the test and only studied for one hour. Student A feels even worse, starts to feel sorry for himself and becomes depressed. Student A gets "high" to forget those feelings, which creates even more problems, because while "high," student A can’t learn and do better next time on the test. Student A takes the next test, fails, spent $50.00 on marijuana, and feels worse.

Student A could have learned many lessons rather than use drugs. Student A might learn: to study better, to study more, to study with other students and make friends, or to ask the teacher for help. Student A may learn that even though he isn’t as good in one subject as student B, he is better in sports. If student B helps student A study, student A could help student B with sports. We all have gifts. What lessons need to be learned? Are you going to take the challenge of learning those lessons and working on your problems?

What Do You Expect?

Do you expect to have a doctor, pilot or bus driver who is not high? Do you expect a person who has your life in their hands to be intelligent and alert? Do you expect them to have learned all they can about performing a surgery or flying an airplane? You expect these people to be responsible because they have the lives of other people in their hands. In 1987 a train engineer/brakeman was smoking marijuana and suffered from impaired brain-motor function. The train crashed, killing 15 and injuring 174. Are you responsible for learning and being the best you can be? OR do you expect others to be responsible and not be responsible yourself?

Do you like forgetting things? Do you want to appear less intelligent that you really are? Do you want more colds and illness? These are the questions you need to think about if someone offers you marijuana.

You Play Doctor:

A young man, 15 years old, comes into your office, coughing and complaining that he has had many colds this year. His grades in school have slipped and he says he doesn’t care much about anything. What drug do you think he could be using?

A 16-year-old girl comes into your office; she is very sad and depressed. She started using marijuana to forget about her problems. What would you tell her to do to feel better?

A 25-year-old man comes into your office. He used marijuana every day for 5 years. He quit 3 months ago. He is feeling sad and depressed because he realizes he has lost 5 years of his life. When do you think he will start feeling better? What would you tell him? He spent $20 a day on marijuana; how much did he spend in 5 years (365 days in a year)?

(More on marijuana and other drugs is included in the student workbook.)

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