Why Marijuana is Harmful
Ohio became the 24th state to legalize the recreational use of marijuana when voters passed Issue 2 in November 2023. Some people will be trying marijuana for the first time as a result of this new law, and they may not be aware of the risks that marijuana poses to their physical and mental health. Please help Wayne County Coalitions in their effort to prevent substance use by sharing this information with anyone who is considering or already using marijuana.
Marijuana has multiple effects on physical health. Most of them impact the brain, but additional health concerns include effects on the heart and lungs. Recent marijuana use (use within 24 hours) can result in altered senses, changes in mood, impaired memory, and hallucinations (if taken in high doses). Long-term use of marijuana has been shown to impact brain development, especially if the user is under the age of 18. The areas of the brain that are impacted the most by long-term use are those responsible for attention, memory, and learning. Multiple studies have shown that smoking marijuana hurts the lungs and leads to symptoms such as lung tissue damage and an increased risk of bronchitis, cough, and mucus production.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), long-term marijuana use has been linked to mental health concerns such as temporary hallucinations, temporary paranoia, depression, anxiety, and worsening symptoms in people suffering schizophrenia. There is additional research being done to look at the connection between marijuana-use and psychosis, but there have not been any concrete findings yet. Adolescent use of marijuana has an increased chance of impacting mental health outcomes because of how brain development works.
Additional concerns with marijuana use include addiction, secondhand smoke, increased risk of experimenting with other substances, accidental poisonings, and the potential for negative social outcomes such as poor job performance and lower life satisfaction. Please visit the links below for more information about the risks associated with marijuana use.
References
Cannabis (Marijuana) DrugFacts
Cannabis and Psychosis: Recent Epidemiological Findings Continuing the “Causality Debate”
Health Effects of Marijuana
How Does Marijuana Affect the Brain?
The Science – Smart Approaches to Marijuana
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Teen Dating Violence Awareness month is an opportunity for teens, and those who support them, to work together on advocacy and education efforts to stop dating violence before it begins. According to LoveIsRespect.org, “1 in 3 U.S. teens will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from someone they’re in a relationship with before becoming adults.” This year’s theme is “Love Like That” which highlights the importance of showing love in healthy ways. Every relationship is different, and teens should understand that individuals show love in different ways. These differences are okay as long as they are healthy and respectful. Find out how you can advocate for healthy teen relationships by checking out the links below.
