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October Tips of the Month: Tips for
Teens About Marijuana
Marijuana is the most widely available and
frequently abused illicit drug in Florida. It tends to be the
first illegal drug teens use.
Marijuana has several
negative physical and mental effects. Use of Marijuana may
impair or reduce short-term memory and comprehension, alter
sense of time, and reduce ability to perform tasks requiring
concentration and coordination, such as driving a car.
The physical effects,
particularly on developing adolescents, can be far more acute.
Studies have shown that marijuana use can lower testosterone
levels in men. Testosterone controls hair and beard growth,
development of the penis, muscle mass, and voice changes at
puberty. Marijuana use can also lower sperm counts possibly
resulting in difficulty in having children.
Females who use marijuana
can, over time, increase levels of testosterone which can result
in increased facial and body hair and acne. Studies also suggest
that chronic use of marijuana may adversely affect reproductive
functioning in women.
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