Some people think that pot doesn’t give you a hangover — at least not one that makes you feel dehydrated, headachy, and disgusting. But that doesn't mean your body isn’t trying to recuperate.

Marijuana “hangovers” can last for a few days, and the fog generally includes problems with alertness, coordination, depth perception (not good for driving), and a distorted sense of time. Because the THC in marijuana is absorbed into the fatty tissue in the body’s organs, it takes your body a while to metabolize it. This means that if you have a drug test even up to four weeks after using, the results may show up dirty. More sophisticated blood or hair tests can detect marijuana months after use. This is extra tricky because random drug testing is on the rise in schools and in the workplace.

Did you ever consider how the effects of marijuana might impair your ability to drive? Did you ever think about what distorted perception, slowed-down reaction time, and lethargy might mean if you had to brake suddenly?

Some people think that it’s not a problem to drive a car when they're stoned. Some even believe that they can operate a motor vehicle more safely than when they are sober.

By now, most people know that drunk driving is bad. But did you know that almost 1 in 4 car crashes involve drugs? And marijuana is not like alcohol. Instead of the impairment decreasing over time, it actually increases for up to 21 hours after use, regardless of amount.

Do you know your school’s drug policy? Some schools expel students for a single drug offense; others defer to local police. Many administrations will notify parents if a student is found using or selling. Another reality is the possibility of losing access to grants and loans.