Marijuana Papers: Research Update

This program reveals the latest scientific research about how marijuana changes the adolescent brain, impairs the brain’s ability to perform complex tasks, lowers the body’s immune system and can become powerfully addictive. Using a format similar to popular TV detective shows such as CSI, several real teens travel across the country in search of answers to important questions like: Is it true marijuana’s not addictive? And how can something “natural” like marijuana be harmful? Along the way they meet Dr. Susan Tapert from the University Of California in San Diego, a research scientist using MRI’s to track brain function in teens who’ve experimented with marijuana. She shows them how new studies have scientifically linked loss of memory function to teenage marijuana use. The teenage sleuths also speak to Dr. Michael Roth a researcher dealing with marijuana’s harmful effect on the immune system. Dr. Roth gives them a first hand demonstration in his laboratory which graphically shows how the active ingredient in marijuana actually inhibits the body’s normal healing process. The teens also speak to drug counselors who introduce them to other real teens whose lives have been forever damaged by the drugs devastating effect on an individual’s potential to do well in school and to function normally as an adult.

Includes:

video, plus teacher’s resource book, student handouts and pre/post tests in digital format