NIDA for Teens: The Science Behind Drug Abuse
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Educators

Where Does Marijuana Come From?

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Marijuana is the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Like all plants it's sensitive to the environment where it grows.

Different weather and soil conditions can change the amounts of the chemicals inside the plant. That means marijuana grown in a place like Hawaii might be chemically stronger than marijuana from Mexico or vice-versa.

How does marijuana affect nerve cells in the brain?

Marijuana causes some parts of the brain—such as those governing emotions, memory and judgement—to lose balance and controoooooooooooooooooooooooolllllllll.