The purpose of my paper is to prove that marijuana effects teens and their mind. Marijuana is a tobacco-like substance produced by drying the leaves, stems, flower tops of the Cannabis sativa (Indian Hemp) plant (Fact Sheet, 1). It is smoked or eaten to get hallucinated and receive pleasure. It grows just about anywhere. It is illegal in some countries but in others it is used for medical purposes (Encarta, 1). Some names that it is called a joint, nail, pot, Mary Jane, hive, etc. (Fact Sheet and Facts for teens, 1). Marijuana stays in the body for several days after one smoking session. In a chronic user marijuana can stay in the body for up to several weeks (Facts for Teens, 1).

             About one out of five 10th graders and about 1 out of four high school seniors used marijuana in the past month (Facts for Teens, 1). It is the second most popular drug among teens in the US (Encarta, 1). Teens, ages 12-17, that use marijuana weekly are nine times more likely than non-users to experience with illegal drugs and alcohol (Fed. Study, 1). More 13 & 14 year olds are using drugs, fifteen percent of them use marijuana (Teen Addiction, 63). From 1991-1997 the number of eight grader teens using marijuana went from 11% to 28%(Teen Detox, 1). About fifty-seven percent of the young people in the US have used drugs before they graduate from high school (War on Drugs, 116). One Million teenagers start smoking and doing drugs each year, 3,000 a day, despite the fact they aren"t old enough to purchase these things (Teen Addiction, 18). A survey reported that teenagers that go to religious services are less likely to smoke cigarettes or use marijuana or spend time with people!.

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             Most teens start using marijuana because of their friends, siblings, or if older "cool" people do it. They also think that it"s "cool" because it is on movies, TV, or hear it sang in songs they like (Facts for Teens, 1).