Marijuana is an illicit drug made up of the dried leaves and female flowers of the cannabis sativa plant. This substance, although legalized for restricted personal use in some states and currently on Guam, is classified as a Schedule I substance by the federal government meaning that it is considered to have a high potential for abuse, has no currently accepted medical use in treatment, and there exists a lack of acceptable safety for its use under medical supervision. According to the Guam Epidemiological Profile 2021 update, in 2019:
- One in Five (20.5%) middle schools students had ever used marijuana.
- Nearly half (45.3%) of all high school students have tried marijuana, and One in Four (25.9%) has used marijuana within 30 days of the survey.
- Lifetime marijuana use among high school students in Guam remained higher than in the US, but current prevalence is similar.
What Marijuana Affects |
How? |
Marijuana affects your brain.. |
THC (active ingredient in marijuana) damages nerve cells in parts of your brain |
Marijuana affects your self-control... |
Marijuana can alter your sense of time and coordination |
Marijuana affects your lungs... |
There are over 400 known chemicals in marijuana. A single joint contains quadruple the amount of cancer-causing tar as a filtered cigarette |
Marijuana affects other aspects of your life... |
Marijuana can limit your body’s ability to fight off infection, increase your heart rate, and lead to frequent chest colds. Some research has shown that long-term use may increase the risk for developing certain mental illnesses |
Marijuana is not always what it seems... |
Before it is sold, marijuana can be laced with other substances without your knowledge |
Marijuana can be addictive |
Some marijuana users may develop a sense of dependence on the drug. A twenty year study, from 1993-2013, showed that 1 in 10 people developed a dependence. |
Where to Get Help and Information
Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center
Drug and Alcohol Treatment Branch
671-475-5440 or 671-647-5438
Sanctuary Inc.
671-475-7101 (main line)
671-475-7100 (24-hr crisis hotline)
Lighthouse Recovery Center (LRC)
671-477-7671 (for adult men)
GBHWC Center of Hope
671-475-5440 or 671-647-5438 (for adult women)
TOHGE Warm Line
671-787-9276