DRUGS: MARJUANA What you don’t know……

Effects on the Brain & Body

ABOUT MARJUANA

comes from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa

the most frequently used illegal drug in the U.S.

SIGNS OF USING MARIJUANA INCLUDE:

Rapid heart rate Increased blood pressure Increased rate of breathing Red eyes Dry mouth Increased appetite, or "the munchies" Slowed reaction time

The risks of smoking marijuana go up with heavy use. Although the link has never been proven, many experts believe heavy pot smokers are at increased risk for lung cancer.

Heavy marijuana use lowers men's testosterone levels and sperm count and quality. Pot could decrease libido and fertility in some heavy-smoking men.

Contrary to what many pot smokers may tell you, marijuana is addictive, at least psychologically. Even among occasional users, one in 12 can feel withdrawal symptoms if they can't get high when they want to. Among heavy pot smokers, the rates of dependence are higher.

Many experts also believe that marijuana is physically addictive. Symptoms of withdrawal from pot might include:

Aggression Anxiety Depressed mood Decreased appetite

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF MARIJUANA

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the main effects of marijuana on mood vary and may include euphoria, calmness, anxiety, or paranoia. Getting high or "stoned" is the reason most pot smokers use marijuana.

Other short-term psychological effects of pot include: Distorted sense of time Paranoia Magical or "random" thinking Short-term memory loss Anxiety and depression

GATEWAY DRUG

does smoking marijuana make someone more likely to try cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, and other "hard" drugs? The jury is still out on this one. It's true that pot smokers are more likely to use other drugs after trying marijuana. What's not clear is whether smoking pot causes further drug use or if people who start smoking pot are just more likely to try drugs in general.

If you're wondering how long marijuana stays in your system after smoking, it depends on how often you smoke. Light users -- those who smoke pot once in a while -- will have a negative drug screen after a marijuana-free week. Heavy users -- sometimes called "stoners" -- may continue testing positive for a month after last smoking pot.

LOUISIANA MARJUANA CONVICTION

Offense Penalty Incarceration   Max. Fine  Possession

Less than 60 lbs (first offense)

not classified 6 mos $ 500

Less than 60 lbs (second offense)

not classified 5 years $ 2,500

Less than 60 lbs (subsequent offense)

not classified 20 years $ 5,000

60 - 2000 lbs felony 5* - 30 years $ 100,000

2000 - 10,000 lbs felony 10* - 40 years $ 400,000

More than 10,000 lbs felony 25* - 40 years $ 400,000

First and second offenders may be eligible for probation.* Mandatory minimum sentenceDistribution or Cultivation of MarijuanaAny amount (first offense)

not classified 5* - 30 years $ 50,000

Any amount (subsequent offense)

not classified 10* - 60 years $ 100,000

To a minor not classified 45 - 90 years $ 75,000Includes possession with intent to distribute* Mandatory minimum sentence

Penalty Details Marijuana is a schedule I(C) hallucinogenic substance under

Louisiana law. Possession for Personal Use For first offenders, possession of less than 60 pounds of

marijuana is punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or up to 6 months of imprisonment. Second offenses are punishable by a fine of $250-$2500 and/or up to 5 years of imprisonment. Both first and second offenders may be eligible for probation, which will include 32 hours of community service and a substance abuse program, the cost of probation will be paid by the defendant. Third and subsequent offenses are punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and/or up to 20 years of imprisonment.

See: Louisiana Rev. Stat. § 40:966(E) Web Search Possession of 60-2,000 pounds of marijuana is a felony and

is punishable by 5-30 years of imprisonment and a fine of $50,000-$100,000. Possession of 2,000-10,000 pounds is a felony and is punishable by 10-40 years of imprisonment and a fine of $100,000-$400,000. Possession of 10,000 pounds or more of marijuana is a felony and is punishable by 25-40 years of imprisonment

CONSEQUENCES/LOCAL CONVICTIONS MEDIA RELEASE 04/17/14 Charmaine Nixon convicted of Possession

with Intent to Distribute Marijuana Charmaine Nixon (DOB: 12/27/1979) was convicted

of Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana. This conviction carries a

maximum sentence of 30 years or 60 years as a second felony offender. Sentencing will be

imposed by Judge Anthony Marabella on August 21, 2014. This conviction was

obtained by Assistant District Attorneys Kory Tauzin

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