 Marijuana Nebraska State Attorney General’s Office Health Effects on Adolescents

Is Marijuana Harmful? As marijuana use becomes more widespread and its potency increases, we need to ask the question: IS MARIJUANA HARMFUL? Marijuana use affects every aspect of a user’s life. Negative consequences for adolescents are even worse than those on the general population, as marijuana affects teens’  Mental Health  Physical Wellbeing  Academic Performance

Marijuana and Mental Illness  Marijuana use is linked to increased depression  Studies have found a correlation between marijuana use and an increased risk of developing mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and other forms of psychosis  Teenagers who use marijuana daily are seven times more likely to attempt suicide

Marijuana and the Brain Hippocampal Surface Shape Row A: cannabis-related shape in control subjects Row B: schizophrenia-related shape Row C: cannabis-related shape in schizophrenia subjects T-values with cooler colors (t 0) indicate outward shape differences. Image Credits: “Cannabis-Related Episodic Memory Deficits and Hippocampal Morphological Differences in Health Individuals and Schizophrenia Subjects” Smith, Matthew J., et. al. Northwestern University.

Side Effects of Marijuana A 2015 study published by the American Medical Association linked use of cannabinoids to the following side effects:  Hallucinations  Vomiting  Disorientation  Euphoria  Nausea  Fatigue  Dizziness  Drowsiness

Teen Marijuana Use: A Growing Problem  In 2012, an average of 3.2 million adolescents used marijuana on any given day  The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that high school students are more likely to use marijuana than any other illegal drug  In 2011, marijuana use was responsible for more emergency room visits by young adults than any other type of drug abuse Despite the negative physical and mental side effects of marijuana, its popularity among the teenage population continues to grow.

Marijuana Use Among High School Students

Marijuana Use in Marijuana States States with legalized medical marijuana and recreational marijuana do have an increase in the number of year- olds who used marijuana in the past month.

At Risk For Addiction  17% of those who use marijuana as adolescents will become addicted, and % of daily users become addicted  A Hazelden Foundation survey indicates that the majority of young people believe that marijuana is not addictive

 Children whose parents use marijuana are 52% more likely to use marijuana than those whose parents do not  Adolescents are nearly twice as likely to become addicted to marijuana as older users  Young adults who use marijuana are also eight times more likely to use other illicit drugs Adult Addiction and Adolescent Addiction

Marijuana and Academics  After legalizing marijuana, Colorado experienced a 40% increase in drug-related suspensions and expulsions  Colorado Department of Education officials reported that most drug-related suspensions/expulsions reported since the 2008/2009 academic year have been related to marijuana  Adolescents who use marijuana daily are more than 60% less likely to complete high school or obtain a university degree than those who do not

Marijuana and Academics  Marijuana use among college students was linked by the University of Maryland’s School of Public Health to the following negative academic consequences:  More absences in class  Decreased time studying  Lower grades  Increased risk of dropping out of college  Increased risk of unemployment after graduation

Marijuana and Academic Potential  Exposure to cannabinoids among adolescents causes long-term behavioral changes  MRI scans indicate brain anatomy alterations in young adult marijuana users  Regular heavy use by adolescents is linked to IQ loss which persists far into adulthood, even if marijuana is no longer being used

Marijuana: Harms to Non-Users Availability of marijuana increases the danger of accidental ingestion, especially with children. The American College of Pediatricians found that, by 2011, poison centers in states which decriminalized marijuana prior to 2005 had experienced a tripling in calls related to accidental pediatric marijuana ingestion. Colorado, January 1 – April 30, 2014

Marijuana: Harms to Non-Users  Marijuana ingestion can cause mental and physical impairment, increasing the risk of motor vehicle accidents leading to injury or death  Colorado marijuana-related traffic deaths increased 92% from Overall traffic deaths increased only 8%.  A survey cited by the Hazelden foundation reported that 30% of young adults indicated that they had driven under the influence of marijuana.

Marijuana Potency Trends,

Marijuana Potency Increasing  Marijuana in the 1960s contained an average of 1-2% Δ 9 -THC. Currently, Δ 9 -THC levels in marijuana hover around 15%.  Some marijuana extractions can contain 80-95% concentrations of Δ 9 -THC.  High-potency marijuana carries a correspondingly increased risk of developing severe adverse side effects.

Marijuana Potency Increasing Marijuana proponents support this increase in potency. Denver even hosts a “Cannabis Cup” where different strains of marijuana compete to be named the most potent variety. “Our annual review of the world’s most potent cannabis strains—as tested by our partner labs around the globe—has taken another big step forward, raising the bar this year to include only strains that have tested over 23 percent THC! This represents a significant increase from years past, when the threshold was a mere 20 percent” ~High Times, “Earth’s Strongest Strains 2014”

 Marijuana-infused edibles popular among adolescents such as cookies, candy, and beverages often contain several doses’ worth of marijuana in a single package  Permissive testing and labeling standards for edibles often result in THC concentrations which vary from the labeled amounts Potency Dangers with Marijuana Edibles

Other Dangers Shatter Shatter is a cannabis product which contains around 90% THC. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Dennis Wichern warns that the shatter production process is very dangerous, often causing fires and explosions. In 2014, 30 house explosions in Colorado were caused by the production of shatter. Lacing Sometimes marijuana is laced with even more dangerous drugs, including cocaine and PCP. Due to loose regulations, it is easy to mix marijuana with other illicit drugs, or it has been found to be contaminated with heavy metals or bacteria.

 Marijuana has been shown to cause many negative side effects, especially in younger users  In order to see whether possible benefits outweigh demonstrated harms, the best response is to wait, allowing time for more thorough investigation and scientific analysis  The government’s role is to protect its citizens from those harms until superior benefits are clearly established Marijuana: A Prudent Response