Research on the health and safety effects of marijuana strongly correlates with many mental, emotional, psychological, physical and spiritual problems. In addition, many crimes, accidents, job and school performance problems have been associated with the use of marijuana. Furthermore, while not everyone that uses marijuana becomes drug dependent, the reality is that as with alcohol and other drugs marijuana use certainly can lead to profound, chronic and progressive chemical dependency.
What is the Evidence?
Its use can be very serious, dangerous, and have a profound impact upon the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of Americans and their families. According to the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), in 2004 there were over 215,665 marijuana related admissions into hospital emergency rooms (a 180% increase since 1998.)
According to the Department of Health and Human Services TEDS (Treatment Episode Data Set), in 2003 there were 284,324 admissions of people into drug treatment programs who stated that marijuana was their primary drug of addiction. The fact is that our treatment agencies are full of marijuana-dependent individuals with personal testimonials to the power and dangers of marijuana. According to the TED Survey, of the two million people admitted into treatment clinics each year as many as 24 percent have reported that marijuana is their primary drug of addiction. Tens of thousands more have dual-diagnosis with another drug and marijuana.
Numerous studies show that marijuana smokers are up to four times more likely to report symptoms of depression - including suicidal thoughts - as compared to those who never used the drug. Research shows that Marijuana is the gateway drug for harder drugs. One study showed that more than 60% of marijuana users progressed to harder drugs (while the odds for non-users were 98-to-1.) Research from a major study of motor vehicle collision victims in a regional Trauma Unit in Toronto, shows that marijuana was the most commonly found drug in impaired drivers other than alcohol. One University Hospital study showed that adolescents who were heavy users of marijuana exhibited changes in their brain similar to those found in schizophrenics. The study may lend credence to another theory of scientists— that marijuana use could trigger schizophrenia.
Clinical evidence definitely suggests a correlation between chronic use of marijuana and the development of an “amotivational syndrome.” This syndrome is characterized by a marked decrease in personal drive, motivation and ambition, with apathy, lethargy, a shortened attention span, and overall impairment of judgment and memory. Very regular high doses of cannabis may be associated with significant psychological adjustment problems in some users.
There are scores of scientific studies that prove that marijuana can be a harmful, addictive drug. As with alcohol and all drugs, marijuana can certainly lead to profound, chronic and progressive chemical dependency. Marijuana is currently up to 25 times more potent than it was in the sixties making the drug even more addictive, and many say that quitting marijuana is much more difficult than they thought (even more “difficult than quitting cocaine”).
What Does This All Mean?
The consumption of marijuana is not recommended. For many users it causes mild-to-severe distress and for many it may have even more serious and profound physical or psychological effects. This is especially true for who are predisposed to emotional issues and problems.
Overall, marijuana use in America tends to be correlated to age. As age increases beyond the youthful and young adult years and into adult years and then the senior years, marijuana use decreases to less than one percent of the population. In this regard then, note that marijuana use does not have the support of the majority of Americans, and in fact, is a behavioral phenomena specific to a small subgroup of the population. Remember, the consumption of marijuana is not recommended.
Resources
Marijuana Use Decreases in US and Around the World
Nelson Acquilano - Nelson Acquilano holds an A.A.S. in Police Science, a B.S. in both Political Science and Criminal Justice, a Master of Social Work Degree ...
