Dear Dr. DQ, Some od my friends have started to use marijuana and want me to try it. They say it's no big deal...that it's harmless and that many of our parents tried it when they were younger. So, what's the problem? Signed Confused
Dear Confused, There are MANY problems. Using marijuana can make you mess up in school, sports, clubs, or with your friends. THC affects the brain. (It also is absorbed and store in the fatty tissues...including the heart, brain, and reproductive organs.) People who use it can have problems learning, remembering, thinking, and solving problems. They can lose coordination and may feel anxious and experience panic attacks. They may become dependent on the drug. When marijuana has been mixed with other drugs, the risks of problems are even greater.Signed, Dr. DQ
Dear Dr. DQ, Some people my parents age say that today's marijuana is the same as it was when they were teenagers. Is that true? Signed, Not Sure
Dear Not Sure, That's FALSE. Marijuana in the '60's and '70's contained much less of the mood-altering chemical THC, about 1% to 2%. The marijuana of today is much stronger, having 5% to 16% THC. This means that the effects of today's marijuana are much greater, with serious risk of damage to the brain and reproductive organs, and increased risk of developing chemical dependency. Isn't it smart then that most people have chosen NOT to use marijuana. Signed, Dr. DQ