Health Effects of Marijuana: Marijuana is a drug that is derived from the hemp plant Cannabis Sativa as a dried, green and brown ground mixture of stems, seeds and flowers. The drug is also known as hashish when it is in a more concentrated and resinous form such as a sticky black liquid, hash oil. Marijuana is a mind-altering drug because its main psychoactive chemical is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. In the United States, marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug, posing significant health risks and effects on people. Since 2007, marijuana use in the United States has generally increased, particularly after a period of decline over the past decade. The increase in consumption of this illicit drug is influenced by a decrease in the perception of its health risks. According to data from a recent annual survey, many teens are currently smoking marijuana rather than cigarettes. Despite its growing use, there are many concerns regarding the effects of marijuana on people's health. Reasons for Using Marijuana: Marijuana is often smoked through the use of a bong, a pipe, or by rolling a joint. It also concerns the use of blunts, i.e. cigars emptied of tobacco and filled with this drug, sometimes mixed with other drugs ("Marijuana" par, 2). Marijuana can also be consumed as food, for example by baking it into brownies, which not only delays the onset of its effects but also makes the effects last longer. Similar to the availability of different ways to use marijuana, there are various reasons why people use the drug. One of the main reasons why marijuana use is increasing, despite its health risks, is that it helps relax an individual and improve his or her mood. The drug is also used because it contributes to… middle of paper… increased marijuana use is associated with some important long-term consequences. The three main long-term impacts of drug use are mental illness, memory, learning, and fertility. According to research findings, marijuana use affects the ability to learn and remember information by impairing the ability to focus, maintain and shift attention. It is also associated with a higher prevalence of schizophrenia, depression and psychosis and suppresses the production of hormones that help control the reproductive system. In conclusion, marijuana use among youth has increased in the recent past due to changes in the modern and popular environment. belief that it is harmless. However, the use of the drug continues to have significant effects on the health of individuals, especially young people who are vulnerable to its harmful effects.