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Question: What is Marijuana?

Answer: The term 'marijuana' refers to the leaves and flowering tops of the cannabis plant. Marijuana is a tobaccolike substance produced by drying the leaves and flowering tops of the cannabis plant. Marijuana contains a natural chemical called THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) which gives users of the drug a 'high' when smoked. Marijuana leaves are usually smoked in the form of loosely rolled cigarettes called joints or cigars called blunts.

A number of other drugs including phencyclidine (PCP) may be used in making joints and blunts, substantially altering their effects and deadliness. Some common names for marijuana include pot, grass, weed, mary jane, acupulco gold, and reefer.

Marijuana users experience the same health problems as tobacco smokers, such as bronchitis, emphysema, and bronchial asthma. Some of the effects of marijuana use also include increased heart rate, dryness of the mouth, reddening of the eyes, impaired motor skills and concentration, and frequent hunger. Extended use increases risk to the lungs and reproductive system, as well as suppression of the immune system. Occasionally, hallucinations, fantasies, and paranoia are reported.

(Source: U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration information page about Marijuana http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/marijuana.htm)


Comments
71 thru 75 of 98 comments
On 03/15/04
kevin from KY said:
why is weed so bad? i have smoked for 5 yrs every single day. and still yet have i found a problem with myself or it. for the people who say it is bad it sounds like you havent tried it
On 03/12/04
Jake from HI said:
I have to say I am upset. Weed is not a bad thing if used responsibly. Weed is no worse then drinking. Infact weed does not damage your liver or make you feel bad like drinking does. This site is a conformist site, and is somewhat communistic. The fact of the matter is you should not be able to control what i want to do with my life as long as it does not hurt anyone else. I dont need the government baby sitting me. I could go to china if i wanted that. This is the U.S. and weed should be legalized. Lawforkids, just teaches kids to be brainwashed puppets for the government.
On 03/10/04
D'Mario from TX said:
man i aint even gon lie ive smoked weed before and it feels so good after u finished. u feel invincible like no body can touch u. its an amazing feeling , its not an hazord to your health . so i dont get why it is illegal. the person or people who made this law, should change it. once theyve tried it themselves theyll now why i say change it.i mean cigars ect... are legal and cigarrettes are legal and they can kill u but weed cant kill u but its illegal.its a silly law. but if they change it or not im gonna keep smokin it baby. i like the feelin and i wanna keep feelin that until i die.
On 03/10/04
D'Mario from TX said:
this ya boi d mario again . i got on dis what is marijuana thing because i wanted to know what i was smokin. now that i have found out its not a big deal. scientist say that weed cant effect u in health lungs,liver,heart. unlike tobacco it causes cancer. you see the goverment or the law who makes these things up are stupid. letting tobacco be legal and its wiping everyone out. and the government are suppose to care there losing 9 10 thousand people a day probably more.and tobacco is legal in that case weed should be legal .really tobacco is like a murder. and it needs to be executed from theUS
On 02/24/04
Jo from AZ said:
Smoking weed is not as bad as smoking cigarrettes, the bud of marijuana has 1/3 less carcinogens than Tobbacco as well as alot of marijuana users smoke it in bongs or waterpipes where the smoke is filtered through water to produce a smoke that is a million times less harsh on the lungs as weed, as well as 99% of all carcinogens are removed. Average weed has the SAME amount of THC that it did in the 60's so whatever you are talking about is just wrong. And there is no proof whatsoever that weed will weaken your immune system.
71 thru 75 of 98 comments



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