What is it?
Cannabis is a name given to the plant Cannabis Sativa when used as a drug. The main active chemical is tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which moves quickly through the bloodstream to the brain and other organs. (NIDA)
Professional and Academic Risks
Having a drug conviction on your record can impact your academic and professional careers! Drug convictions may affect your financial aid and disqualify you for scholarships. Not only that, but many schools will kick you out if you receive a drug conviction!
Drug convictions can also have a large effect on your professional career: you may find it difficult to find government jobs, jobs selling controlled substances (pharmaceuticals), and jobs requiring licenses (transportation, medical, legal etc).
Legal Risks
Missouri has some of the harshest cannabis laws in the country!
Possessing
35g or less: Misdemeanor, Max 1 year prison, $1k fine
35g-30kg: Felony, Max 7 years prison, $5k fine
Selling
35g or less: Misdemeanor, Max 7 years prison, $5k fine
35g-30kg: Felony, 5-15 years prison, $5k-$20k fine
Effects
Health
Cannabis increases your heart rate and blood pressure! In the first hour after smoking you’re 4.8x more likely to have a heart attack! It can also increase your risk of lung infections and lower your body’s resistance to common illnesses!
Learning
Cannabis can impair your memory and ability to learn new things. Your ability to problem-solve and retain information can also be greatly reduced.
Judgment
Using cannabis can result in mood and personality changes and can distort your perceptions of reality (sights, sounds, time, and touch).
Not only can cannabis decrease sex drive, it also can lower sperm production in men and cause irregular menstrual cycles in women.
Sleep
Though many use cannabis as a sleep aid, some studies report that cannabis actually throws off your sleep cycle! It also increases next day daytime sleepiness, anxiety, irritability, fatigue and jumpiness.
Motivation
While there is no official evidence, many report a decrease in motivation when using cannabis.
Addiction
Long-term cannabis use can lead to addiction and dependence.
What is it? Cannabis is a name given to the plant Cannabis Sativa when used as a drug. The main active chemical is tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which moves quickly through the bloodstream to ]]>