Marijuana - A Gateway Drug - Impairs Cognition & Judgement / Anti-Marijuana Video

Marijuana (1968) is a short film that is hosted by Sonny Bono. Director: Max Miller. Producer: Max Miller. Production Company: Avanti Films. Contact Information: www.k-otic.com. Creative Commons license: Public Domain

How Does it Affect You?

A mild hallucinogen, marijuana has some of alcohols depressant and disinhibiting properties. User reaction, however, is heavily influenced by expectations and past experience, and many first-time users feel nothing at all.

Effects of smoking are generally felt within a few minutes and peak in 10 to 30 minutes. They include dry mouth and throat, increased heart rate, impaired coordination and balance, delayed reaction time, and diminished short-term memory. Moderate doses tend to induce a sense of well-being and a dreamy state of relaxation that encourages fantasies, renders some users highly suggestible, and distorts perception (making it dangerous to operate machinery, drive a car or boat, or ride a bicycle). Stronger doses prompt more intense and often disturbing reactions including paranoia and hallucinations.

Most of marijuanas short-term effects wear off within two or three hours. The drug itself, however, tends to linger on. THC is a fat-soluble substance and will accumulate in fatty tissues in the liver, lungs, testes, and other organs. Two days after smoking marijuana, one-quarter of the THC content may still be retained. It will show up in urine tests three days after use, and traces may be picked up by sensitive blood tests two to four weeks later.

The Impact on the Mind

Marijuana use reduces learning ability. Research has been piling up of late demonstrating clearly that marijuana limits the capacity to absorb and retain information. A 1995 study of college students discovered that the inability of heavy marijuana users to focus, sustain attention, and organize data persists for as long as 24 hours after their last use of the drug. Earlier research, comparing cognitive abilities of adult marijuana users with non-using adults, found that users fall short on memory as well as math and verbal skills. Although it has yet to be proven conclusively that heavy marijuana use can cause irreversible loss of intellectual capacity, animal studies have shown marijuana-induced structural damage to portions of the brain essential to memory and learning.

The Impact on the Body

Chronic marijuana smokers are prey to chest colds, bronchitis, emphysema, and bronchial asthma. Persistent use will damage lungs and airways and raise the risk of cancer. There is just as much exposure to cancer-causing chemicals from smoking one marijuana joint as smoking five tobacco cigarettes. And there is evidence that marijuana may limit the ability of the immune system to fight infection and disease.

Marijuana also affects hormones. Regular use can delay the onset of puberty in young men and reduce sperm production. For women, regular use may disrupt normal monthly menstrual cycles and inhibit ovulation. When pregnant women use marijuana, they run the risk of having smaller babies with lower birth weights, who are more likely than other babies to develop health problems. Some studies have also found indications of developmental delays in children exposed to marijuana before birth.

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[kcdude53]

Most people start on ciggs and alcohol, pot is just the #1 start of illegal drugs. The fact that it is sold by people who may sell other drugs is the main reason someone might ask "hey, want to try some coke?" as far as tobacco pushers go why would they need to push harder drugs when they sell the most addictive legal one? tbh no pusher has tried to sell me anything i didn't ask for, anyways alot of them will say it is a shame pot is illegal, witch it is. All this said, great vid, legalize+taxit

[vibrotwanger]

I'm pro marijuana and I have to say this video is one of the most informative videos about marijuana

[bwhiteman12]

they make weed seem like a fucking hallucinogen, but not the worst video considering when it came out

[ranskye1]

hanging out with people outside is a gateway to hanging out with people that use drugs. everyone has their "say no" point. we seem to be wanting to punish people because some others cant so no to hard drugs.

[brutalsheldon]

We need erase this horrible plant from our earth. On April 15th 2002 my little brother was killed by a driver under the influence. But the driver was not drunk. He was high. On marijuana. Even one death is enough. The users of this drug are endangering the lives of others, and they are criminals. They belong in a jail cell.

[hisheartofstone]

I smoke marijuana every day, and have for the past 3 years, but this was 90% true, I'm not gonna put out my roor because of this video or anything, but its true, if you ARE the type that is easily addicted to drugs, marijuana can be a gateway drug if you don't watch yourself... Everything you take in this life do so IN MODERATION, my father still fights alcoholism, which is why I won't drink, I'll smoke any joint you give me though, this is worth watching, but I'm only 14 minutes in so who knows

[AmericanDreamlol]

also another good point on how the pot smoking crowd can lead other friends to higher drugs, my friends who used to just smoke pot 3 years ago, now snort or just orally take the mdma(xtacy) , and they dont think their going down the path?

wtf

i know alcohol is bad, and tobacco is bad, but like video said 2 wrongs dont make right, so what they are bad and even worse, it doesnt mean do other drugs who do less harm..cmon humans stop being stupid. think for yourself, playing tricks on mind isnt wise

[krautvaffen]

Even if it's still a bit biased this is still a hundred times less biased than the stuff they force down our throats in this day and age.

The occasional responsible use won't harm you, but use it frequently, for escape or when you are emotionally unstable and you run a risk of abuse.

It's funny how no one takes a responsible drug user's opinion on drugs serious, but rather listen to those who because dependent on them through abuse.

[420BurnaBlunt]

Marijuana is addictive in the same way: Anything that feels good is worth repeating (psychologically addictive)

[tusagnamaster]

best mj psa i've seen though i have to admit that.

[DavidS1231]

This is an absolutely priceless view of some very honest facts regarding marijuana use. It's amazing how after all these years, most of the facts regarding marijuana use have remained unchanged. Some of the differences today is that pot is much stronger than it used to be. And smoking marijuana is actually very bad for your lungs. But without a doubt, whether you smoke pot, or eat it in Alice B. Toklas brownies, it is definitely addicting. And I loved Sonny Bono’s words of encouragement!