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Marijuana

Drugs of Abuse

Commonly Abused Drugs

Brief Description

Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in the U.S. It is made up of dried parts of the Cannabis sativa hemp plant.

Street Names

Pot, ganga, weed, grass, 420

Effects

Short-term effects of marijuana use include euphoria, distorted perceptions, memory impairment, and difficulty thinking and solving problems.

Statistics and Trends

In 2009, 28.5 million Americans age 12 and older had abused marijuana at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Web Site). The NIDA-funded 2010 Monitoring the Future Study showed that 13.7% of 8th graders, 27.5% of 10th graders, and 34.8% of 12th graders had abused marijuana at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Source: Monitoring the Future (University of Michigan Web Site).

Related Publications

Marijuana (InfoFacts)

Revised Nov 2010.
Offers facts about marijuana, including how it is used, its effects on the brain and overall health, treatment options, and the potential of marijuana as a therapy for various health problems.En Español

Publication: Research Report Series - Marijuana Abuse

Marijuana Abuse (Research Reports)

Published Oct 2002. Revised Sep 2010.
Explores the latest research on marijuana, including the scope of marijuana use in the U.S., health consequences, its effects on every-day activities, available treatments.En Español

Publication Cover

Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to Know

Published Apr 2001. Revised Mar 2011.
Brochure, in question-and-answer format, that provides facts about marijuana for parents and offers tips for talking with their children about the drug and its potential harmful effects.En Español

Publication Cover

Marijuana: Facts for Teens

Published Apr 2001. Revised Mar 2011.
Presented in question-and-answer format and targeted to teens, provides facts about marijuana and its potential harmful effects.En Español

Publication Cover

Marijuana (Mind Over Matter)

Published Jan 1997. 
Explains how THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, causes changes in the brain that affect memory, emotions, balance, and judgment.En Español

Graph: Percentage of U.S. 12th Grade Students Reporting Past Month Use of Cigarettes and Marijuana, 1975 to 2011

Marijuana (Topics in Brief)

Revised Dec 2011.
Provides a brief update on the research on marijuana use, including its health effects, the potential for addiction, treatment, and marijuana in medicine.

View more related publications

Related NIDA Notes Articles

View more related NIDA Notes

Related News Releases

Related Resources

Other Resources

Past information on many drugs of abuse is available on our Archives site.

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