Weeding out the Myths on Marijuana

Students and staff attended an interactive presentation on marijuana and its health effects in anticipation of recreational retail locations opening later this year.

Last week, 130 freshmen, sophomores and juniors in health classes walked through a series of stations set up in the auditorium outlining facts on marijuana and related substances, like nicotine. Staff also had the opportunity to view the exhibit the following day.

To serve as a guide through the stations, Health Teacher Roxanne Grover handed out a scavenger hunt, where students were asked to answer questions such as: What states have legalized the use of recreational marijuana? What are three health or safety risks associated with the use of marijuana? What are three things someone can do to reduce stress without turning to the use of substances?

“A lot of students are aware of the uses of marijuana, but seeing the numbers around when students start using and the health problems that it causes is eye-opening,” said junior Ally O’Connor, of West Newbury.

The last station featured a variety of mindfulness items that are designed to promote relaxation without substance use. This includes adult coloring, yoga and even peacock feathers that students tested out balancing in their hands to centralize their focus.

"Everything was really well received by students and staff," Grover said. "We wanted to provide an opportunity to clear up any misinformation that might be out there and offer healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety that people may not have realized are available to them."

Advisers of Whittier's Above the Influence programs organized the "Weeding Through The Myths" workshop and South Shore Health System provided the information stations.