Cannabis
Cannabis use can have long-lasting or permanent effects on the developing adolescent brain.
It contributes to decreased problem-solving skills, reduced attention span, and poor memory.
Myths
Facts
Hover over the myths to reveal the facts.
Tap on the myths to reveal the facts.
Myth
“Everyone at school smokes pot.”
Fact
Most students don’t use marijuana.
In Ventura County, most have never tried it.
- 91% of 7th graders (9 out of 10)
- 76% of 9th graders (3 out of 4)
- 58% of 11th graders (nearly 3 out of 5)
Myth
“Smoking weed helps me sleep at night.”
Fact
Teen Marijuana users are MORE LIKELY TO HAVE TROUBLE SLEEPING
- They tend to go to bed later and sleep less
- People who start using marijuana early are more likely to have sleep problems later in life
Myth
“Smoking weed won’t affect how I do in school.”
Fact
Marijuana has been shown to have a connection to:
- Lower grades
- Skipping classes
- Studying less
- Lower motivation
- Potential for
dropping out - Lost opportunities (sports, jobs, special programs)
Myth
“You can’t get addicted to weed.”
Fact
9% of those who use marijuana will become addicted
- Even more likely the younger you start using
- 25% to 50% who use every day may become addicted
- Withdrawal symptoms are hard to overcome
Myth
“It’s medicine, just like any other drug.”
Fact
Marijuana IS NOT THE SAME AS PRESCRIBED MEDICINE
- A doctor may recommend but not prescribe it
- The dosage and potency are not controlled
- It is not tested by the FDA for safety, purity or side effects
- Smoking or eating cause different reactions
Myth
“Weed has the same effects no matter what your age is.”
Fact
Heavy teen use lowers IQ permanently
- Early marijuana use is linked to IQ dropping about 8 points
- Regular teen users who stopped using later in life did not recover the brain functionality that was lost
Myth
“Everyone at school smokes pot.”
Myth
“Smoking weed helps me
sleep at night.”
sleep at night.”
Myth
“Smoking weed won’t affect
how I do in school.”
how I do in school.”
Fact
Most students don’t use marijuana.
In Ventura County, most have never tried it.
- 91% of 7th graders (9 out of 10)
- 76% of 9th graders (3 out of 4)
- 58% of 11th graders (nearly 3 out of 5)
Fact
Teen Marijuana users
are MORE LIKELY TO HAVE
TROUBLE SLEEPING
are MORE LIKELY TO HAVE
TROUBLE SLEEPING
- They tend to go to bed later and sleep less
- People who start using marijuana early are
more likely to have sleep problems later in life
Fact
Marijuana has been shown
to have a connection to:
to have a connection to:
- Lower grades
- Skipping classes
- Studying less
- Lower motivation
- Potential for
dropping out - Lost opportunities (sports, jobs, special programs)
Myth
“You can’t get addicted to weed.”
Myth
“It’s medicine, just like
any other drug.”
any other drug.”
Myth
“Weed has the same effects no
matter what your age is.”
matter what your age is.”
Fact
9% of those who use marijuana will become addicted
- Even more likely the younger you start using
- 25% to 50% who use every day may become addicted
- Withdrawal symptoms are hard to overcome
Fact
Marijuana IS NOT THE SAME AS PRESCRIBED MEDICINE
- A doctor may recommend but not prescribe it
- The dosage and potency are not controlled
- It is not tested by the FDA for safety, purity or side effects
- Smoking or eating cause different reactions
Fact
Heavy teen use lowers IQ
permanently
permanently
- Early marijuana use is linked to IQ dropping about 8 points
- Regular teen users who stopped using later in life did not recover the brain functionality that was lost
Vaping Marijuana
THC is the main mood-altering ingredient in marijuana (cannabis). The extracts or concentrates used in vaping marijuana are extremely potent – between 50% and 90% THC.
Cannabis use can have long-lasting or permanent effects on the developing adolescent brain. It contributes to decreased problem-solving skills, reduced attention span, and poor memory. This can lead to a decline in school performance.
Source: “Learn About Marijuana,” SAMHSA.