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What is Marijuana?

Marijuana—also called weed, herb, pot, grass, bud, ganja, Mary Jane, and a vast number of other slang terms—is a greenish-gray mixture of the dried flowers of Cannabis sativa. Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug (Federally) in the United States; however, Michigan has legalized adult-use of marijuana, making it legal for adult use in Michigan. Marijuana’s use and strength have increased in the past few years. Medical marijuana uses the marijuana plant or chemicals in it to treat diseases or conditions. In the state of Michigan, medical marijuana was legalized in 2008. Learn more about the Michigan Medical Marijuana Program.

What are the health risks of marijuana use?
  • Distorted perceptions
  • Impaired coordination
  • Difficulty thinking and problem-solving
  • Problems with learning and memory
  • Respiratory conditions (examples include bronchitis, emphysema, and bronchial asthma)
  • Anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia Increased heart rate
  • Hallucinations, delusions, and/or psychosis (when taken in high doses)
Laws and Regulations:
Resources:

Signs of marijuana use include:

  • Dizziness
  • Red, bloodshot eyes
  • Difficulty walking
  • Having difficulty remembering things that just happened
  • Acting silly for no apparent reason
  • The smell of marijuana on hair and clothes

What are the withdrawal symptoms of marijuana?

  • Irritability
  • Sleeplessness
  • Decreased appetite
  • Anxiety

How to properly store marijuana?

How should marijuana be stored?

Keep products in the original, childproof containers and out of the reach/sight of children. Always store in a lockbox or lock bag.

Children, adults, and pets can mistake marijuana products, particularly edibles, for regular food or candy. Consuming marijuana can make children and pets very sick. They may have problems walking or sitting up or may have a hard time breathing. Since marijuana use has been legalized in some states, accidental marijuana poisonings in children have increased, sometimes requiring visits to the emergency room or hospitalization.

Marijuana dangers for children:

Can secondhand marijuana smoke affect nonsmokers, including children?

Secondhand marijuana smoke contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the chemical responsible for most of marijuana's psychological effects, and many of the same toxic chemicals in smoked tobacco.

Smoked marijuana has many of the same cancer-causing substances as smoked tobacco, but there are still many unanswered questions around secondhand marijuana smoke exposure and its impact on chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and lung diseases.

Where you can find a lock boxes and bags:

 Is it possible for someone to become addicted to marijuana?

Approximately 3 in 10 people who use marijuana have marijuana use disorder. For people who begin using marijuana before age 18, the risk of developing marijuana use disorder is even greater. (CDC)

How does marijuana affect the developing brain (25 years and under)?

Marijuana use during adolescence and young adulthood may harm the developing brain. Negative effects of marijuana use during this period can include:

  • Difficulty thinking and problem-solving
  • Problems with memory and learning
  • Reduced coordination
  • Difficulty maintaining attention
  • Problems with school and social life

Pregnancy:

How does marijuana impact pregnancy?

Marijuana use during pregnancy can be harmful to the baby’s health. The chemicals in marijuana (in particular, tetrahydrocannabinol or THC) pass through the system to the baby and may harm the baby’s development. Although more research is needed to better understand how marijuana may affect you and your baby during pregnancy, it is recommended that pregnant persons do not use marijuana.

How does marijuana impact breastfeeding?

The health effects of a breastfeeding person’s use of marijuana on their infant or baby are not yet fully known. We do know that chemicals from marijuana can be passed to a baby through breast milk. THC is stored in body fat and is slowly released over time, meaning a baby could still be exposed even after a person has stopped using marijuana. Persons who are breastfeeding are encouraged to avoid all marijuana use.

Marijuana and Driving:

How does marijuana affect driving?

Marijuana significantly impairs judgment, motor coordination, and reaction time. Studies have found a direct relationship between blood THC concentration and impaired driving ability. If using medical or adult-use marijuana:

  • Choose not to drive and remind your friends and family to do the same.
  • Assign a trusted, sober driver when you are going out with a group of people you know.
  • Use a rideshare service or call a taxi.

Benzie Office

6051 Frankfort Hwy, Ste 100
Benzonia, MI   49616

Office Hours
Monday-Friday
8am-12pm and 1pm-4:30pm

Phone: (231) 882-4409(231) 882-4409
Fax: (231) 882-2204

Leelanau County
Health Services

7401 E Duck Lake Rd., Ste 100
Lake Leelanau, MI 49653

Office Hours
Monday-Friday
8am-12pm and 1pm-4:30pm

Phone: (231) 256-0200(231) 256-0200
Fax: (231) 882-0143

Leelanau County
Environmental Services

8527 E. Government Center Dr. Suite LL-007
Suttons Bay, MI 49682

Office Hours
Monday-Friday
8am-12pm and 1pm-4:30pm

Phone: (231) 256-0201(231) 256-0200
Fax: (231) 256-0225

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Rachel Pomeroy, Public Information Officer
Phone: 231-882-6085
bldhd@bldhd.org

 

MIChild, Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan Plan

Free or low-cost health insurance for families. We can help you apply!  
Call 1-833-674-2159 or apply online at MI Bridges

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