Marijuana Facts

Marijuana is a greenish-gray or brown mixture that is composed of dried and shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers that are derived from the hemp plant.
Although a great deal of marijuana has been reported to be grown in the U.S., the largest portion of marijuana that is used in America has been grown in various other countries.
Most marijuana will users roll the loose mixture into a cigarette or smoke it in a pipe; additionally, some marijuana users will cook it into brownies or other types of food.
Another method of using marijuana is to slice open a cigar and replace the tobacco with weed, in order to make a "blunt."
Marijuana cigarettes and blunts sometimes include crack cocaine or various other types of drugs; this concoction is commonly referred to by various street names such as "primos" or "woolies." Marijuana cigarettes and blunts are sometimes dipped in PCP and are called "happy sticks," or "love boat."
THC, (the active chemical in marijuana), can also be topically absorbed when it is dissolved in oil.
Tinctures of marijuana can be made by using alcohol, which is then dropped under the tongue and held there in order to penetrate the mucus membrane of the mouth.
Marijuana users will often make homemade pipes and bongs by using empty soda cans, empty toilet paper rolls, empty water bottles, plumbing hardware, tinfoil, etc.
The effects smoking marijuana will reach their peak within a hour, but they can linger for up to two or three hours.
Marijuana use decreases the body's ability to fight diseases, through weakening the user's immune system.
People who smoke marijuana will commonly develop the same types of breathing problems that cigarette smokers have, including coughing and wheezing.
Marijuana users are commonly reported to have a higher incidence of chest colds than nonusers, and are also reported to be at a much greater risk for acquiring lung infections such as pneumonia.
Smoking marijuana will decrease the flow of blood to the brain, putting the user at a much higher risk for the incidence of a stroke.
There is a large body of evidence that indicates that marijuana use lowers testosterone levels in men.
Using marijuana can lower sperm counts, possibly resulting in difficulty having children.
Females, who use marijuana, over time, may increase their levels of testosterone which can result in having facial hair and acne; additionally, marijuana use has been reported to adversely affect reproductive functioning in women.
THC in marijuana is absorbed by fatty tissues in various organs throughout the body. Generally, traces of THC can be detected by standard urine testing methods within several days after smoking it; however in heavy chronic marijuana users, traces can sometimes be detected for up to several weeks after discontinued the use of the drug.
A large body of research has indicated that marijuana use causes consistent alterations to the brain, affecting memory, judgment, and perception.