Marijuana
The dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the cannabis plant.
What is it?
Marijuana is the name many people use to talk about the drug that comes from the dried flowers, leaves, stems, and seeds of the cannabis plant. Whether you know it as marijuana, cannabis, pot, weed, Mary Jane, or another name, the chemical in it that creates a “high” is called THC, aka tetrahydrocannabinol. The cannabis plant also contains other compounds you might have heard of, like CBD (cannabidiol), which doesn’t get you high. Marijuana is usually smoked, vaped, or added into products to eat or drink (aka “edibles”).
What does it do?
The THC and CBD in marijuana products bind to different receptors in the brain and have different effects on the body. THC’s structure is really similar to certain chemicals in the brain called endocannabinoids, which are involved in memory, alertness, coordination, stress, and managing anxiety. Because THC is so similar, it can latch onto your brain’s cannabinoid receptors, leading to the “high” people associate with marijuana. But when it does this, it also blocks those endocannabinoids from doing their job with memory, coordination, etc. CBD doesn’t bind to these same receptors, so it does not create the “high” a person feels from THC.
What are the risks?
Just because marijuana is legal in New Jersey doesn’t mean it’s safe for you. Marijuana is legal for people 21+ in part because your brain is actually still developing until your mid-20s. Especially at younger ages, the THC in marijuana can harm your brain development and lead to difficulties with memory, attention, learning, and decision-making, as well as problems with school and your social life. It can also impact your mental health. Although some people consume marijuana to chill, regular use has actually been linked to anxiety, depression, and even self-harm, especially for teens with a family history of mental illness.
How can we stay safe?
Like any substance, never drive after using marijuana, avoid using it in combination with other substances, and be really careful about using it in situations where it’s important that your decision-making ability stays on point.
