NM POP High School Handbook

Beliefs Students Sometimes Have About Marijuana That Are Not True Myth Fact

Marijuana is much stronger today than in the past. There is no way to determine a safe dosage (e.g., some vaping, a few bites of a brownie). There are also many different strains with different effects. This makes marijuana a high-risk drug to use. Studies have shown that, of seriously injured drivers admitted to trauma centers, more than 1 out of 4 tested positive for marijuana. In another study of fatally injured drivers in a western state, over 1 in 10 tested positive for marijuana. Marijuana is currently the leading cause of substance dependence other than alcohol in the U.S. Studies show that marijuana accounts for over 50% of the 7 million people aged 12 or older dependent on or abusing a drug. Both alcohol and marijuana are associated with significant problems. Comparing which is safer overlooks that there are serious risks associated with both drugs. While marijuana is legal for medicinal purposes in some states, this is not the case in all states. In the states where it is legal for medicinal purposes, patients need to be under the care and supervision of a physician for specific diseases and ailments. Patients also need prescriptions that specify how much, how often, and in what form it can be used. Marijuana for medicinal purposes often contains other compounds or ingredients to help specific disorders. Lastly, marijuana is rarely prescribed for children under 18 for medicinal purposes. Again, while this is true in some states, it is not legal in all states. Further, there are no states where marijuana is legal for recreational use for individuals under 21 years of age.

Marijuana is safe

Marijuana makes you a better driver

You cannot get addicted to marijuana

Marijuana is safer than alcohol

Marijuana has medicinal value

Marijuana is legal

42

Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog