Cannabis sativa, or indicia are the scientific names for marijuana, but pot, weed, ganja, pakalolo, reefer, buds, and grass are just a few of the names marijuana has picked up through the years. It is a plant that has grown wild throughout the world for centuries until it was domesticated and used for various purposes. One of these include the use of its strong fibers, which you cannot smoke and contain no active, psychedelic properties, but can be used to make rope, textiles and fabrics.  Even the first U.S. dollar bills were printed on hemp material. As time passed, it was discovered that marijuana had other characteristics and could be utilized for medicinal and psychedelic purposes. In today’s society, due to wide misuse, abuse and an incredible misunderstanding of this plant, marijuana has become an illegal, unregulated street drug.

So what is all the hype about this little plant? How can something natural or medicinal be harmful?  In order to understand this plant, first we have to talk a little science (only a little). First of all, it is important to know that marijuana contains over 400 different chemicals that when smoked, increase to over 2,000 chemicals.  Many of these chemicals are carcinogens, meaning cancer-causing chemicals. But the main chemical in marijuana, and what all the hype is about, is THC…or tetrahydrocannabinol…try saying that three times in a row.  Without THC, marijuana would be just another plant.  Think of THC as sap from a tree: when swallowed or smoked, THC travels through your blood stream and sticks like sap to the fat in your body, including the fat stored in your brain, organs, etc.  It can stay there for a long, long time.

The feeling of being ‘stoned’ or ‘high’ is caused mainly by the THC sticking to cannabinoid receptors in the brain. What is a receptor? Receptors are sites of communication, or places in the brain cells where certain substances (not just THC) can stick to. When THC “sticks”, it accumulates over time, and this has an effect on the way your brain communicates with your body.  It slows communication between your brain and your body, resulting in slowed body functions. Just observe people who smoke a lot of pot and you will see for yourself. Ironically, at the same time it increases your heart beat, sometimes making your heart beat irregular. Confused yet?

But let’s go deeper than this…THC affects almost all areas of your brain, especially in developing brains, (remember, development happens up until your early 20’s). It can literally change your life. Suddenly, things like going out with your friends are not as pleasurable or exciting anymore, and doing homework becomes an almost unbearable task.  Making decisions or taking tests seem impossible since you can’t remember anything and your judgement is not as sharp. Even typical teenage dilemmas concerning self-esteem and motivation are now replaced by feelings of anxiety, irritability, paranoia, increased bouts of depression, low-self esteem and an inability to sleep. This inability to sleep, or insomnia, happens because even though marijuana slows down your body, it throws your perception of time out the window.  You might start feeling tired in the middle of the day, yet be totally awake at night, though your body is begging for sleep.

Perhaps there is no set evidence that marijuana is addictive, but if your brain gets used to the chemicals, it will trick you into thinking that you need it to “have fun” or “relax,” “to sleep,” or “to cope,” etc. The chemicals in marijuana can also affect the eyes, the ears, the skin and the stomach. Let’s just say if you can’t remember anything mentioned here about marijuana, just remember this, THC= memory loss, breakouts, intense depression, inability to make decisions or cope with everyday problems, stomach ulcers (or stomach cancer), lowered immune system, among other effects.

After learning all of this, you are probably wondering, how can marijuana be useful for medical purposes? Well, a very simplified explanation of this is: terminally ill patients, or patients who are dying and are being treated for an illness such as cancer, often experience nausea, loss of appetite and extreme body aches. These people have reported that marijuana increases their appetite, while at the same time helps them to manage their pain. But, please don’t forget the key word here: terminal.

Though marijuana may have its positive qualities, the negative qualities outweigh the positive.  For any young person up to around the age of 25 whose brain is still developing, it can be especially harmful.  In addition, marijuana is illegal, and it is not worth getting arrested for or having it stain your permanent record, since even financial aid for college can be taken from you.  Overall, there are plenty of myths going around about this plant, but please take the time to educate yourself, learn more about the harmful effects, then make your own judgement.

If you have even the slightest concern that you may be drug dependent or are misusing drugs, we suggest you talk to someone at a counseling center about your drug use.  If this is an emergency, please call 911, or for more information contact a TeenLine Peer Listener Monday through Friday between 2:00-5:00pm or call the Crisis Response System Project at 833-7382 or 484-2970.  For information on treatment programs, contact Drug-Free Hawaii at 545-3228 ext. 34.  You can also email them at prc@drugfreehawaii.org or log on at www.drugfreehawaii.org.