“Since 2007, annual, monthly, and daily marijuana use has increased among 10th and 12th graders, while daily use has increased among 8th graders year” (National Institute on Drug Abuse). Drug abuse has only increased in the last decade, causing many children between the ages of twelve and nineteen to become aware of some of the short and long term effects of drug use. marijuana. As a result of marijuana use, adolescents experience an increase in brain damage and respiratory problems. A person can suffer brain damage from doing some of the simplest things, from hitting their head, having a car accident, or even playing sports. On the other hand, marijuana is known to be a major inhalant that causes brain damage. Marijuana is a plant that is crushed and usually rolled into a paper-like material, then the smoke is inhaled. The chemicals pass through your lungs and then enter your brain, where they cause a “high” feeling. According to Marijuana and Teens, people have a much higher chance of developing psychosis the more someone decides to use marijuana. Psychosis is basically the loss of the ability to properly deal with what is happening in reality. Some of these disorders include schizophrenia, or disorders that cause hallucinations, or any other type of perception that is not reality. According to Marijuana and Teens, psychosis can also lead to a very high risk of suicide. Memory is also a huge risk factor that a person could lose when using marijuana. Memory is directly linked to the brain. A person's thinking also falls under the category of memory. A person's thinking is greatly affected when using marijuana. The part of the brain that gives a person "good feelings" is greatly affected when using mar...... middle of paper ......tem and you need to pay attention to what you open up when it comes to drugs. Work CitedAlexander, Brian. “Adolescents use cold to injure brain and memory, new research shows. » NBCNews (February 3, 2014) Web. February 6, 2014Brown, Suzanne. “Teens and pot use: Parents, this is what you need to talk about.” » The DenverPost (January 2014) Web. February 20, 2014 “Drug Facts: Marijuana. The Science of Abuse and Addiction. National Institute on Drug Abuse, (January 2014) Web. February 18, 2014 Hoder, Randye. “Why It’s Still a Big Deal If Your Teen Smokes Weed.” CNN Health, (January 2014)Web. February 25, 2014 “Marijuana and adolescents. » Information pages for families. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, (July 2013) Web. February 19, 2014 “Marijuana: facts for teenagers. » The Science of Abuse and Addiction. National Institute on Drug Abuse, (October 2013) Web. February 14.2014