Marijuana is a drug made from the leaves and flowering tops of the plant Cannabis sativa. Cannabis contains unique chemicals called cannabinoids. One of these chemicals, THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), is responsible for many of the psychoactive effects of cannabis.

Cannabis is a term that refers to marijuana and other drugs made from the same plant. Strong forms of cannabis include sinsemilla (sin-seh-me-yah), hashish ("hash" for short) and hash oil. All forms of cannabis are mind-altering (psychoactive) drugs.

THC changes the way information is processed by the area of the brain that is fundamental to learning, memory and integrating sensory experience with emotion. Today, the THC content of marijuana is higher than it was in the past. This makes marijuana more potent, increasing the likelihood of anxiety, amnesia and confusion.

Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in this country.

Marijuana can be harmful in a number of ways. Some health effects are immediate and some result in damage over an extended period of time. Marijuana smoking affects brain cells and leads to impaired motor coordination skills by slowing down the reaction time of the central nervous system. Marijuana use can result in:

• Poor short-term memory (memory of recent events)
• Problems with perception and reaction time, often resulting in automobile crashes
• Trouble handling complex tasks like driving a car
• Reduced inhibitions causing risky sexual behavior and excitability
• Difficulty concentrating, creating poor study habits
• Hallucinations, delusions of grandeur
• Long-term effects include addiction and damage to the lungs and brain.

Marijuana use can also impair a child's decision-making ability, which may lead to risky behaviors and adverse physical and social consequences. These can include increased involvement in violence and crime; unsafe driving; and unprotected sex, leading to unplanned pregnancy and acquiring sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in 1998, more than 208,000 people entered drug programs reporting marijuana as their primary drug of abuse.