Marijuana - often called pot, grass, reefer, weed, herb, mary jane, or mj - is a greenish-gray mixture of the dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of Cannabis sativa, the hemp plant.
The major active chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which causes the mind-altering effects of marijuana intoxication. The amount of THC (which is also the psychoactive ingredient in hashish) determines the potency and, therefore, the effects of marijuana. Between 1980 and 1997, the amount of THC in marijuana available in the United States rose dramatically.
| Drugs of Abuse | ||
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | Cocaine/Crack | Ecstasy |
| Heroin | Inhalants | Ketamine |
| Meth | Marijuana | Nicotine |
| Ritalin | Steroids | More Resources |
| • Warning Signs of Teenage Drug Abuse | ||
| • Big Changes From Elementary School to Middle School | ||
| • Pressured Tweens & Teens Turn to Alcohol & Drugs | ||
| • Help for the Innocent | ||
| • Americans in Denial About Drug Abuse | ||
| • Sex Under the Influence of Alcohol and Other Drugs | ||
| • Youth Risk Behaviors | ||
| • Impaired Driving and Teenagers | ||
Source: The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
