"My parents used weed when they were in college and they’re fine. I’ll be fine too."            

• THC levels in cannabis in 2019 average about 13% compared to 3.75% in 1995, as reported by the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
• Today’s users are much more likely to experience the negative short-term and long-term side effects of cannabis use due to high THC.
• High levels of THC without CBD to balance it can result in bad highs, calls for emergency service, and/or mental health concerns in some users.

"Smoking after drinking reduces a hangover."            

• Hangovers are caused by dehydration and the toxins in your body after a night of drinking; unfortunately cannabis can't rehydrate you or remove toxins.
• Cannabis is used medicinally to reduce nausea in patients who go through chemotherapy. This could be a reason why some people use cannabis to help with the nausea when hungover.
• To reduce the chances of getting an alcohol-induced hangover, eat a proper meal before you start drinking alcohol and drink lots of water while consuming alcohol.

"Drinking lots of water removes cannabis from my system."    

• The average blood THC elimination half-life is 5-6 days and the average urine THC excretion half-life is 3-4 days. A half life is the amount of time it takes for half of the substance to be removed from your body, so it can take more than a week for you to be rid of the metabolites if no more cannabis is consumed after that week.
• Factors that might result in higher levels of THC metabolite accumulation in the body are dosage, type of administration (eating vs. smoking), rates of metabolism, etc..
• The more cannabis you consume, the more metabolites are going to be found in your body.

"Cannabis is a plant, so how can it be harmful?"           

• First, we're not saying it's always harmful, just that it can be harmful in some circumstances. Second, maybe the plant thing isn't the best argument, poison ivy is a plant - but is it good for you? The US has 8 plant species that kill humans.
• Keep in mind that safe recreational use is possible, medical use is possible, and problematic use is possible too. Check out the 'safe use' section on the cannabis 101 page. 
• In some instances, cannabis can cause negative health effects and other problems. Check out the potential concerns page.

"Weed isn’t addictive like other drugs."       

• 9% of people who try cannabis become addicted. If you use before age 18 the rate of dependence is about 17% or 1 in 6.
• In 2015, about 4.0 million people in the United States met the diagnostic criteria for cannabis use disorder.
• Withdrawal symptoms are well documented and include mood and sleep difficulties, decreased appetite, restlessness, anxiety and/or physical discomfort that peak within the 1st week after quitting and last up to 2 weeks.

"I can smoke anywhere since it's legal now."       

• Consistent with the Smoke- and Tobacco-Free policy on all UC campuses, the possession, use and sale of cannabis is prohibited on UC property.
• Similar to other substances, public use is not allowed.
• Smoking cannabis is not allowed in places where tobacco is prohibited. This includes public establishments, such as businesses, schools, government buildings and hospitals. 

"I won’t get into trouble for driving high."       

• “Drive high, get a DUI.” If you haven’t seen these signs around major freeways, you probably will soon.
• It’s against the law for any individual to drive while under the influence of any drug; that includes cannabis.
• Blood and urine tests can be used to detect THC levels; however, these tests do not indicate when cannabis was used or how high a person currently is. Law enforcement relies on physical behavioral cues to detect impairment from cannabis or another substance.
• Similar to driving under the influence of alcohol, If you are convicted of a cannabis DUI, you can face fines and fees up to $2,000, license suspension, mandatory training and possible jail time.

“Weed before beer and you’re in the clear.”        

• Weed is a psychoactive substance and alcohol is a respiratory system depressant
• “Greening out” can occur and one can experience disorientation, nausea, dizziness, and low blood pressure when abruptly sitting/standing up
• Mixing = very dangerous to drive due to tunnel vision (8 times higher increase of fatal accident)
• Can have negative psychological effects - higher risk of panic attacks and/or paranoia