ARTICLE
We’ve all heard the phrase “it’s just weed” used in instances meant to downplay or dismiss the use of marijuana, but what you need to know is that today’s cannabis is up to 4 times as potent now as it was just 3 decades ago. In fact, the amount of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in marijuana seized by the DEA has spiked from 3.4% in 1993 to 15.34% in 2021. Truth is – marijuana is a mind-altering psychoactive drug made of dry, shredded, green/brown mix of flowers, stems, seeds, and leaves from the cannabis sativa plant. THC is the main ingredient that produces the psychoactive effect that can be highly addictive. Higher THC levels in marijuana are linked to increased problems with memory and learning, distorted perception, difficulty in thinking and problem-solving, and loss of coordination. A higher percentage of THC also intensifies the effects associated with regular use of cannabis, including physical dependence and withdrawal following discontinuation, as well as psychological addiction or dependence Even more disturbing is that often people may be unaware that marijuana, especially when it contains more THC, is a risk factor for psychosis and schizophrenia, as well as the fact that it stunts brain growth. In addition, it sometimes includes lead and mercury and it can alter male sperm DNA linked to autism. The ”Dirty Dozen” refers to a list of 12 significant negative consequences of adolescent marijuana use compiled by the organization Johnny’s Ambassadors and based on scientific evidence. These harms are particularly concerning because the teenage brain is still developing until around age 25. The "Dirty Dozen" Negative Outcomes of Teen Marijuana Use include: - Marijuana Dependence: Nearly half of regular marijuana users may develop Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) characterized by cravings, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. - IQ Decline: Persistent use during adolescence can lead to a significant and potentially permanent loss of IQ points and cognitive decline, affecting memory and learning. - Anxiety & Depression: There’s a strong association between cannabis use and increased rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts. - Increase Odds of Other Substance Use: Marijuana users are more likely to use alcohol and other drugs concurrently or later in life - Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS): Regular heavy use of marijuana can lead to severe cyclic nausea and vomiting. - School Dropout: Marijuana use is correlated with lower grades, disengagement from school activities, and an increased likelihood of dropping out, which impacts future success. - Psychosis & Schizophrenia: High-THC products can trigger paranoia, delusional thinking, and psychotic breaks, potentially leading to long-term mental illnesses like schizophrenia, especially in genetically susceptible individuals. - Decreased Fertility Rates: Regular marijuana use may lower fertility rates in both males and females and increase the risk of premature and low-birth-weight babies. - Lowers Your Motivation to Do Things: Researchers tested the short-term effects of cannabis on motivation in humans and found smoking the equivalent of a single “spliff” of cannabis makes people less willing to do things including work for money while high. - Impacts Brain Development: Use during critical growth periods interferes with normal brain function and development, which may derail cognitive processes and increase likelihood of suicidal thoughts/behaviors. - Addiction & Health Risks: High-potency THC products increase the likelihood of addiction, and early use correlates with higher risks for dependence. Smoking marijuana can harm lung health and long-term use is associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and arrhythmias. - Impaired Driving: Marijuana use impairs judgment, coordination, reaction time, and perception, making driving under the influence very risky. Effects of marijuana use can impair you for the rest of your life. Know the Facts and learn more about Marijuana at https://www.justthinktwice.gov/drugs/marijuana. Additional resources for parents, teens, and educators can be found at https://johnnysambassadors.org/ or on the CDC and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) websites.
We’ve all heard the phrase “it’s just weed” used in instances meant to downplay or dismiss the use of marijuana, but what you need to know is that today’s cannabis is up to 4 times as potent now as it was just 3 decades ago. In fact, the amount of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in marijuana seized by the DEA has spiked from 3.4% in 1993 to 15.34% in 2021.
Truth is – marijuana is a mind-altering psychoactive drug made of dry, shredded, green/brown mix of flowers, stems, seeds, and leaves from the cannabis sativa plant. THC is the main ingredient that produces the psychoactive effect that can be highly addictive.
Higher THC levels in marijuana are linked to increased problems with memory and learning, distorted perception, difficulty in thinking and problem-solving, and loss of coordination. A higher percentage of THC also intensifies the effects associated with regular use of cannabis, including physical dependence and withdrawal following discontinuation, as well as psychological addiction or dependence
Even more disturbing is that often people may be unaware that marijuana, especially when it contains more THC, is a risk factor for psychosis and schizophrenia, as well as the fact that it stunts brain growth. In addition, it sometimes includes lead and mercury and it can alter male sperm DNA linked to autism. The ”Dirty Dozen” refers to a list of 12 significant negative consequences of adolescent marijuana use compiled by the organization Johnny’s Ambassadors and based on scientific evidence. These harms are particularly concerning because the teenage brain is still developing until around age 25.
The "Dirty Dozen" Negative Outcomes of Teen Marijuana Use include:
- Marijuana Dependence: Nearly half of regular marijuana users may develop Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) characterized by cravings, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms.
- IQ Decline: Persistent use during adolescence can lead to a significant and potentially permanent loss of IQ points and cognitive decline, affecting memory and learning.
- Anxiety & Depression: There’s a strong association between cannabis use and increased rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts.
- Increase Odds of Other Substance Use: Marijuana users are more likely to use alcohol and other drugs concurrently or later in life
- Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS): Regular heavy use of marijuana can lead to severe cyclic nausea and vomiting.
- School Dropout: Marijuana use is correlated with lower grades, disengagement from school activities, and an increased likelihood of dropping out, which impacts future success.
- Psychosis & Schizophrenia: High-THC products can trigger paranoia, delusional thinking, and psychotic breaks, potentially leading to long-term mental illnesses like schizophrenia, especially in genetically susceptible individuals.
- Decreased Fertility Rates: Regular marijuana use may lower fertility rates in both males and females and increase the risk of premature and low-birth-weight babies.
- Lowers Your Motivation to Do Things: Researchers tested the short-term effects of cannabis on motivation in humans and found smoking the equivalent of a single “spliff” of cannabis makes people less willing to do things including work for money while high.
- Impacts Brain Development: Use during critical growth periods interferes with normal brain function and development, which may derail cognitive processes and increase likelihood of suicidal thoughts/behaviors.
- Addiction & Health Risks: High-potency THC products increase the likelihood of addiction, and early use correlates with higher risks for dependence. Smoking marijuana can harm lung health and long-term use is associated with an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and arrhythmias.
- Impaired Driving: Marijuana use impairs judgment, coordination, reaction time, and perception, making driving under the influence very risky.
Effects of marijuana use can impair you for the rest of your life. Know the Facts and learn more about Marijuana at https://www.justthinktwice.gov/drugs/marijuana. Additional resources for parents, teens, and educators can be found at https://johnnysambassadors.org/ or on the CDC and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) websites.