Marijuana Facts

Learn more about teens and marijuana from your D.A.R.E. Officer or from our Marijuana Facts Sheet (PDF).

DARE BOX Questions

Q: How can you tell if "SOMEONE I KNOW" is Using Marijuana?

A: Sometimes it's tough to tell. But there are signs you can look for. If your "someone I know" has one or more of the following warning signs, he or she may be using marijuana: Red Bloodshot eyes, Dilated pupils, person carries Visine alot, increased appetite "the munchies", dry mouth or cotton mouth, thick dry tongue, increase mood swings and euphoria, slow thinking and reflexes, delusions and hallucinations, increased pulse rate, short term memory loss, acting silly for no apparent reason, acting disinterested in school family or activities they used to enjoy, lack of motivation, lack of money, These are just some of the warning signs.

Q: Isn't smoking marijuana less dangerous than smoking cigarettes and can people become addicted to marijuana?

A: Smoking marijuana is even worse than smoking tobacco or chewing tobacco. One joint affects the lungs as much as four cigarettes! Research confirms that people can become addicted/hooked on marijuana. Today's marijuana is more potent and it is not always what it seems! Before it is sold, marijuana can be laced with other dangerous drugs without your knowledge! "Blunts"- hollowed out cigars filled with marijuana- sometimes have substances such as crack cocaine, PCP, or embalming fluid added to them!!! STAY AWAY from drugs and Just say NO!!! DARE TO RESIST!

Q: Can marijuana/THC help cure cancer?

A: No. Some people with cancer, HIV/AIDS, and other diseases claim to experience relief from pain and other symptoms that they attribute to marijuana/THC use. However, scientific research has not yet confirmed these benefits and more research on this topic is being done. What is known is that smoking marijuana can cause lung damage.

Q: Can I get arrested for having any amount of marijuana on or with me?

A: YES! Any amount of marijuana is ILLEGAL and you will be arrested and fined and can have a criminal record that will haunt you the rest of your life.