Marijuana: The Basics
Myths, Facts and Risks of Marijuana
Use for College Students
Nationally and at NDSU, marijuana is
the most widely used illicit drug among
college students, and the number of
students using marijuana nationally
has increased in recent years.
Results of the 2010 National CORE
Alcohol and Other Drug Survey show
18.1% of college students across the
country report using marijuana in the
past 30 days, and 31.3% report using
marijuana in the past year.
At NDSU, the 2012 CORE data show
9.5% of students have used marijuana
in the past 30 days, and 21.7% have
used in the past year.
Marijuana Use In
Past Year %
Marijuana Use In
Past 30 Days %
NDSU ‘12
21.7
9.5
North Dakota ‘12
25.5
12.2
National ‘10
31.3
18.1
NDSU ‘10
21.5
11.4
NDSU ‘08
20.4
7.5
NDSU ‘06
20.2
9.3
NDSU ‘05
19.2
8.8
NDSU ‘03
24.4
11.5
NDSU ‘01
26.9
12.9
Facts About Marijuana Users at NDSU
NDSU students who use marijuana, either frequently (twice/month or more) or infrequently (once/month or
less in the past year), typically experience negative consequences at much higher rates than students who do
not use marijuana.
- Of NDSU marijuana users, 31.7% are frequent (F) users, and 68.3% are infrequent (I) users
- 89.6% of marijuana users report using alcohol more than once per month in the past year
- Marijuana users are much more prone to use tobacco (F: 64.2%, I: 49.6%) than non-users (17.2%)
- Marijuana users account for virtually all other illicit drug use (Rx drugs, amphetamines, etc.)
- Marijuana users exceeded non-users in all drinking behaviors, including frequency of use, number of drinks
consumed, underage consumption, and binge drinking
- Binge drinking rates are almost twice as high for marijuana users (F: 83%, I: 81.4%) than non-users (44.7%)
- The average number of drinks per week for frequent users (12.9) is more than three times that of non-users (4.1) and
one and a half times that of infrequent users (8.8)
- Marijuana users report twice as many incidents as non-users of driving under the influence, missing a class,
experiencing memory loss, getting hurt/injured, getting into a fight or argument, and performing poorly on a test/project
- Marijuana users report three to four times as many incidents as non-users of getting in trouble with authorities,
damaging property, seriously thinking about suicide, unsuccessful attempts to quit, and thinking they might have a
drinking or drug problem
NDSU Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Prevention Programs
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Myths & Facts About Marijuana
Myth #1: Marijuana is harmless
Fact: Use of marijuana can cause significant health, safety,
social and learning problems. Short-term effects of marijuana
use include anxiety, memory loss and trouble thinking and
concentrating.
College students who use marijuana frequently have reported
increased memory loss, missing days of work or class, difficulty sleeping, procrastination and lower productivity. Effects
such as these may be especially problematic, as these impairments can lead to poor academic performance.
Smoking marijuana also increases heart rate and, depending
on conditions, can either raise or lower blood pressure,
causing additional risk for those with cardiovascular disease.
Myth #2:
Fact: Recent research shows that use of marijuana can lead to physical dependence.
Heavy users of marijuana may develop withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability, anxiety and difficulty sleeping, when they have
not used the drug for a period of time. Furthermore, many people may develop a social dependence on marijuana and continue to use it, regardless of how the drug interferes with other activities and relationships.
Myth #3: Marijuana is not as harmful to your health as tobacco
Fact: While the co-occurrence of marijuana and tobacco
smoking is high and makes differentiating between their
individual negative effects difficult, research has shown
that smoking ONE marijuana joint has the same impact on
an individual’s large lung airways as smoking 16 tobacco
cigarettes.
Additionally, marijuana smoke contains between 50-70%
more cancer-causing chemicals than the levels found in
tobacco smoke. Smoking marijuana has been clearly linked
to respiratory problems.
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Myth #4: Driving high is safer than driving drunk
Fact: Driving under the influence of marijuana is not safer than
driving under the influence of any other intoxicating substance.
Habitual marijuana use is strongly associated with car crash injury
in general, and this is particularly true when marijuana is used prior
to driving.
Marijuana affects alertness, concentration, perception, coordination
and reaction time – essential skills required for safe driving. Even
moderate doses of marijuana have been shown to reduce reaction
time, requiring an additional 139 feet to stop a vehicle at highway
speeds.
Myth #5: Smoking pot just makes you
mellow… no one ever gets hurt using
marijuana.
Fact: While marijuana is a depressant drug, research at NDSU has
shown that individuals who use marijuana regularly are much more
likely than non-users to engage in violent or destructive behavior,
including getting into fights and damaging property.
Increased frequency of marijuana use is also associated with a
greater likelihood of suffering from a range of other mental health
problems, including anxiety and panic disorders.
Myth #6: Marijuana is used to treat cancer and other diseases
Fact: Marijuana is listed as a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States, which means it is
recognized as a dangerous drug that has no medical value. However, some states have removed criminal
penalties for possessing marijuana for “medical” use.
Preliminary research has shown that THC, the primary active chemical in marijuana, may be useful for
treating a range of medical symptoms, just as the synthetic THC product, Marinol, available by prescription,
is used to control nausea and stimulate appetite in people with
various medical conditions. However, research is limited in this
area due to the mixed results of some studies, which detail
unintended consequences of use, contra-indications for use, and
lack of consensus regarding proper dosage and the efficacy of
marijuana compared to other drugs. Due to this lack of consensus from the medical research field, endorsement of marijuana
as an effective treatment is not supported at this time.
NDSU Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Prevention Programs
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Myth #7: It is not a big deal if I get caught with marijuana.
Fact: As a Schedule I controlled substance, marijuana is illegal in the United States. Possession
of marijuana or drug paraphernalia for marijuana are considered misdemeanors, and delivery of
marijuana or intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a school (including a university) are class B
felonies. Penalties for these crimes range from a $1,000 fine and 30-days imprisonment for a
class B misdemeanor to a $10,000 fine and up to 10 years’ imprisonment for a class B felony.
Students caught with marijuana will also be required to go through the university judicial process and will face additional sanctions, which may include removal from on-campus housing. Furthermore, students who have been convicted of possession or sale of a controlled substance, such as marijuana, while receiving financial aid will become ineligible to receive financial aid for at least one year, and possibly indefinitely.
For more information, contact:
NDSU Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Prevention
701.231.5478
[email protected]
www.ndsu.edu/alcoholinfo
NDSU Counseling Center
Ceres Hall 212
701.231.7671
www.ndsu.edu/counseling
References
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North Dakota State University does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, marital status, national origin, public
assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a U.S. veteran. Direct inquiries to the Vice President for Equity, Diversity, and
Global Outreach, 205 Old Main, (701) 231-7708
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