“[Marijuana] is the most widely used illegal drug among youth today and is more potent than ever.”

Recognizing this, the Office of National Drug Control Policy identified key facts about the drug through “Marijuana Myths and Facts.”  The following provides highlights from the report.

MYTH:  Marijuana is harmless.
FACT:  Marijuana harms in many ways.

Short-term effects of marijuana use include memory loss, distorted perception, trouble with thinking and problem-solving, and anxiety. Students who use marijuana may find it hard to learn, thus jeopardizing their ability to achieve their full potential. Effects such as these may be especially problematic during teens’ peak learning years, when their brains are still developing.

Other impairments observed in frequent marijuana users involve sensory and time perception and coordinated movement, suggesting use of the drug can adversely affect driving and sports performance. In a study reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, even a moderate dose of marijuana was shown to impair driving performance. The study measured reaction time and how often drivers checked the rearview mirror, side streets, and the relative speed of other vehicles.  Another study looked at data concerning shock-trauma patients who had been involved in traffic crashes. The researchers found that 15 percent of the trauma patients who were injured while driving a car or motorcycle had been smoking marijuana, and another 17 percent had both THC and alcohol in their blood.

MYTH:  Marijuana is not addictive.
FACT:  Marijuana research shows that use of the drug can indeed lead to dependence.

The desire for marijuana exerts a powerful pull on those who use it, and this desire, coupled with withdrawal symptoms, can make it hard for long-term smokers to stop using the drug. Users trying to quit often report irritability, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. On psychological tests, they also display increased aggression, which peaks approximately one week after they last used. Many people use marijuana compulsively even though it interferes with family, school, work, and recreational activities. What makes this all the more disturbing is that marijuana use has been shown to be three times more likely to lead to dependence among adolescents than among adults. Research indicates that the earlier kids start using marijuana, the more likely they are to become dependent on this or any other illicit drug later in life.

MYTH: Marijuana is not harmful to your health or not as harmful as tobacco.
FACT:  Marijuana contains the same cancer-causing carcinogens as tobacco.

Although some people think of marijuana as a benign natural herb, the drug actually contains many of the same cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco. Puff for puff, the amount of tar inhaled and the level of carbon monoxide absorbed by those who smoke marijuana, regardless of THC content, are three to five times greater than among tobacco smokers.

MYTH:  My kids won’t be exposed to marijuana.
FACT: If kids want marijuana, they can find it.

More than half (55 percent) of youths age 12 to 17 responding to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health in 2002 reported that marijuana would be easy to obtain. The survey indicated that most marijuana users got the drug from a friend and that almost nine percent of youths who bought marijuana did so inside a school building.  Moreover, nearly 17 percent of the young people surveyed said they had been approached by someone selling drugs in the past month.

In the 2000 survey, more than a quarter of 12-to-17 year olds (26.6 percent) reported that drug selling occurs frequently in their neighborhoods. Additionally, kids who learn about the risks of drugs from their parents or caregivers are less likely to use drugs than kids who do not.

MYTH:  Youth experimentation with marijuana is inevitable; there is not much parents can do to stop their kids from experimenting with marijuana.
FACT:  Parents are the most powerful influence on their children when it comes to drugs.

Parents can create situations that help them connect with their children and stay involved in their lives. Experts suggest that parents try to be home with their kids after school, if possible, because evidence indicates that the riskiest time for kids with regard to drug involvement is between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Parents who can’t be home with their children should consider enrolling them in after-school programs, sports, or other activities, or arrange for a trusted adult to oversee them.

By staying involved, knowing what their kids are doing, and setting limits with clear rules and consequences, parents can increase the chances their kids will stay drug free. Research shows that appropriate parental monitoring can reduce future drug use even among adolescents who may be prone to marijuana use, such as those who are rebellious, cannot control their emotions, and experience internal distress.

For detailed explanations and factual data on marijuana myths and related issues check out these down-loadable files from The National Criminal Justice Reference Service.

Marijuana Myths & Facts (opens in new window)
What Americans Need To Know About Marijuana (opens in new window)

Further information can be found on the PARENTS: the Anti-Drug website.