1. According to the results of the 2009 Connecticut School Health Survey, 21.8% of high school students in CT reported having used marijuana in the past 30 days.
2. Most teenagers DO NOT use marijuana.
3. Marijuana is a gateway drug: Studies show that individuals who use other illegal drugs often used marijuana first.
4. Marijuana smoke contains many of the same cancer-causing chemicals as cigarette smoke. Smoking 5 joints a week is the equivalent of smoking a pack of cigarettes every day.

Short term Effects of Marijuana

• Impaired memory and judgment
• Distorted perceptions
• Difficulty thinking and problem solving
• Incoordination
• Increased heart rate

Long term effects of Marijuana

• Coughing and wheezing
• Reduced immunity
• Cancer? (Marijuana smoke includes many of the same chemicals found in cigarette smoke and cigarette smoking is known to be associated with several types of cancer)

Visit the online home of SERAC's marijuana-focused media campaign, WeedingOutTheTruth.com.