In The Know Zone

Long Term Effects

Marijuana and Health

Long-Term Effects of Marijuana Use

Respiratory System Damage

  • Daily cough.
  • Chronic bronchitis.
  • More frequent chest colds.
  • Injured lung structures.
  • Pneumonia.
  • Increased risk of lung or oral cancer – Marijuana deposits in the lungs roughly five times as much tar as tobacco and contains nearly 50% more of the cancer-causing chemical benzopyrene than the average tobacco cigarette.

Immune System Damage

  • Causes damage to the cells and tissues that protect the body from disease.
  • Users are more likely to become ill.

Reproductive System Damage

  • Decreased sperm count.
  • Abnormal sperm cells.
  • Decreased production of estrogen.
  • Menstrual or ovulatory irregularities.

Danger During Pregnancy

  • May affect good functioning of the mother’s immune system.
  • Increased miscarriage rate.
  • Possible brain damage in the fetus.
  • Lower birth weight, which is associated with more health problems.
  • THC can be passed to a baby in breast milk, which can impair the infant's motor development (control of muscle movement).

Emotional Damage

  • Amotivational syndrome is the most common side effect of long-term marijuana use. Marijuana users:
  • Lose interest in setting and achieving goals.
  • Stop caring about things that used to be important to them.
  • Neglect school, work, chores, personal health, and their relationships.
  • It can take up to 2 years of abstinence to regain a normal motivation level.
  • More delinquent behavior and aggression

Intellectual Damage

  • Permanent damage to thinking and reasoning ability.
  • Difficulty sustaining attention.

Psychological Addiction

  • Increasing tolerance -- Users need increasing amounts of marijuana to feel its effects.
  • Many users develop compulsive drug craving and drug seeking.
  • Abusers continue to use marijuana despite negative consequences in their lives.

In The Know: Substance Abuse Pamphlet/ DVD Package
In the Know: Marijuana, Stone-Cold Stupid Pamphlet
In The Know: Substance Abuse DVD Package