Made from the shredded leaves, seeds, stems, and flowers of the hemp plant, marijuana is today the most widely used illegal drug in the U.S. It is a mind-altering drug and can cause hallucinogenic effects when taking in large amounts. It may look like brown, green, or gray dried parsley. People smoke it in a pipe, in the form of a hand-rolled cigarette, or in a water pipe. Some people also smoke it after placing it inside of hollowed-out cigars called blunts. Others brew it as a tea or mix it into foods.

What Does Marijuana Look Like?

1. Marijuana Plant in a Pot

While marijuana grows best outdoors as it needs sunshine, many people have started growing it indoors to avoid dealing with its special odor and the attention of the police. Check out the photo and see if you have a plant near your home that looks similar to this.

2. Indoor Marijuana Plants

The picture is of an indoor marijuana growing operation. More of these growing operations have been busted by the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) because of the availability of better technology to detect marijuana. Many people use special grow lights and a sophisticated ventilation system to grow weed at a large scale.

3. Chopped Up Marijuana

Marijuana may look like a mixture of dried leaves, flowers, and sticks. Its color may range from green to brown. The plant is first allowed to dry out and then is chopped up into smaller pieces for use. The buds in the picture are about the size of your thumb.

4. Marijuana Ready for Sale

In its ready-for-sale form, marijuana may be a gray, brown, or sometimes green mix of dried shredded leaves and flowers of the hemp plant. The picture shows a small amount of marijuana, but it is still quite expensive and more than what many teenagers can afford to buy. The same quantity may cost up to $100 in some places.

5. Marijuana Bud

The picture shows a marijuana bud which is greenish in color, but it can be of dark green, light green or brown color. Its color usually depends on its age and the way it has been processed. People roll marijuana bud into a cigarette and smoke it for a high.

6. Marijuana Seeds and Joints

If you find something that looks like seeds, you may be looking at marijuana seeds and joints. It is the crushed up form of marijuana leaves that can be rolled into cigarettes with ease.

What Are the Signs of Marijuana Use?

Once you know the answer to your question "what does marijuana look like", you can always look for it in your child's room. However, there are many other signs suggesting your child may be using marijuana.

1. Red Eyes

Red eyes are usually the most common side effects of using marijuana. You will find a reddish-yellow cast in the eyes of a marijuana user. This is mainly because marijuana dilates the capillaries in the eyes. But your child may have red eyes because of late last night studying, so do not jump to conclusions too early.

2. Drowsiness

Marijuana use can make your child feel drowsy. If they spend lots of time vegetating on the couch or simply napping, it may well be a warning sign. Before you decide to confront them, keep in mind that some teenagers have a naturally higher sleep requirement as compared to others in their age group.

3. Uncontrollable Goofiness

People who smoke weed usually act sillier than usual. You may notice them giggle uncontrollably at things that you may not find funny at all. If you see that your teenager finds it difficult to keep his/her goofiness under control, this may be because they are smoking weed.

4. Change in Social Habits

Habitual marijuana use can make your child sleep during the day because smoking weed can disrupt normal sleeping patterns. There may also be certain behavioral changes–they may be visiting certain places more often, going out at unusual times or suddenly change their social circles.

5. Increased Appetite

The increased appetite may well be associated with marijuana use. It is also possible to see your child drinking lots of water because marijuana use can make your mouth and throat feel scratchy and dry. While these signs may indicate marijuana, this may be quite normal because the body experiences rapid growth during adolescence, which makes your child to eat more.

6. Other Signs

Since you know the answer to "what does marijuana look like", have a quick look at the room of your child to see if there is anything suspicious. Other signs of marijuana use include sudden mood swings, depression, and giddiness. Physical symptoms include increased heart rate, high blood pressure, increased rate of breathing, decreased reaction time, and problems with motor coordination. There may be some cognitive symptoms as well, such as warped sense of time, distorted sensory perception, short-term memory loss, and impaired judgment. Marijuana use may also affect the psychological level and cause problems such as paranoia, suicidal ideation, and anxiety.

What Does Marijuana Do to Your Body?

You already know "what does marijuana look like" and the signs of marijuana use. It is also important to learn what marijuana does to your body.

1. Brain

The use of marijuana may lead to brain damage. You may experience impaired cognitive functions and abnormal brain functions. Research shows that there may be structural changes in the brain of long-term marijuana users. These changes are quite like the changes noticed in the brain of people suffering from schizophrenia.

2. Stomach and Intestines

Studies show that heavy marijuana use can cause gastrointestinal problems and lead to vomiting, stomach pain, and nausea. There is no drug to improve your symptom, but you may feel better by spending hours in a hot bath.

3. Birth Defects and Risk

Pregnant women can pass the effect of marijuana to the fetus through the placenta. Babies affected by prenatal marijuana use may have poorer eyesight, low birth weight, and a higher chance of developing cardiovascular defect. These babies are also at a higher risk of developing chest infections, asthma, and breathing problems. In rare cases, heavy use of marijuana during pregnancy may lead to the development of anencephaly, in which a baby may not have some or all of a brain.

4. Lungs

Marijuana smoke works like tobacco smoke and cause serious damage to your lungs. Toxic chemicals can irritate your lungs and bronchial passages. Regular use of marijuana may lead to coughing, wheezing, and lung infections. You may also end up aggravating your existing respiratory illnesses such as cystic fibrosis and asthma by using marijuana.