There’s a lot of misinformation about marijuana’s effect on the body, and it can be challenging to separate fact from fiction. These “weed facts” dispel some of the myths about marijuana.
Myth
Fact
You cannot become addicted to marijuana.
While the likelihood of becoming dependent on marijuana is relatively low, it is possible.
Marijuana use will not affect your performance in school or at work.
THC (marijuana’s active ingredient) affects a part of the brain called the hippocampus, which is critical for processing and storing new information, making it difficult to learn. THC also affects attention, impairing your ability to do complex tasks that require focus and concentration.
Driving under the influence of marijuana is better than driving drunk.
Driving while impaired is dangerous, no matter what the substance used.
Marijuana is not a “gateway” to other drugs.
While marijuana use does not cause the use of other drugs, kids who use marijuana are statistically more likely to go on to use other drugs. (Especially, for at risk youth.)
