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Marijuana is usually the first street drug that teens try.check out the Drugs and Alcohol swicki at eurekster.com
Here is what the experts say about Marijuana and Teens.... “Marijuana is not a benign drug. Use impairs learning and judgment, and may lead to the development of mental health problems.” “Smoking Marijuana can injure or destroy lung tissue. In fact, marijuana smoke contains 50 to 70 percent more of some cancer causing chemicals that does tobacco smoke.” “Teens who are high on marijuana are less able to make safe smart decisions about sex-including saying no. Teens who have used marijuana are four times more likely to have been pregnant or gotten someone pregnant than teens who haven't.” “Marijuana can impair perception and reaction time, putting young drivers, their passengers and others on the road in danger. Teens, the highest risk driving population, should avoid anything that might impair their ability to operate a vehicle safely.” “Marijuana use may trigger panic attacks, paranoia and even psychoses, especially if you are suffering from anxiety, depression or having thinking problems.” “Marijuana can impair concentration and the ability to retain information during a teen's peak learning years.” “Recent research has indicated that for some people there is a correlation between frequent marijuana use and aggressive or violent behavior. This should be a concern to parents, community leaders, and to all Americans.” “Marijuana can be addictive. In fact, more teens are in treatment with a primary diagnosis of marijuana dependence than for all other illicit drugs combined.” Teen use of marijuana is the lowest of all drugs, which does not make it any less dangerous, just less likely that if your teen is using drugs, marijuana is one that they are abusing. There are many reasons why teens start to use marijuana. It could be because they have friends or siblings who use it and pressure them to try it, it could be they think it's cool, or it could be an outlet for depression or anxiety. The effects of marijuana depends on the user and also the circumstances. Some of it depends on how strong the marijuana is, what the user expects to happen, the place where the durg is used, how it is taken and whether the user is drinking alcohol or doing other drugs at the same time. Some people feel nothing when they smoke marijuana, while others feel relaxed or high. Marijuana can make a person feel hungry and thirsty, suffer anxiety and paranoia and mess a person up. 
There are both short term and long term affects of marijuana use, as well as signs to look for if you suspect your teen is using marijuana.Short Term:
Long Term:
Signs of Marijuana Use:
As a parent, what can you do to make sure that your teen does not smoke marijuana? Teens say their parents are the single most important influence when it comes to drugs. Know their friends. Ask them where they are going and when they will be home. Take time to listen and talk to your teens about marijuana. If you suspect your child is abusing or addicted to marijuana, there is help that you can find. A therapist can always put them on a regimen that will help them with the withdrawal symptoms, which are much like tobacco withdrawal. Keep in tune with your teen and keep in touch with your teen to find out what is happening in their lives. To Return to Teens and Drugs, Click Here
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Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded flowers and leaves of the hemp plant. You may hear marijuana called by street names such as pot, herb, weed and Mary Jane. There are over 200 slang terms for marijuana. All forms of marijuana are mind altering and change how the brain works. It is smoked as a cigarette, which is also called a joint. It can also be smoked in a pipe or bong.