 As the states of Washington and Colorado wrestle with the details of setting up a supply, distribution and sales system for legal marijuana in the wake of voter-approved initiatives, and legalization for small quantities for the 21-and-over set increases street availability, there are some important things to bear in mind when considering when making a decision whether to use it or not. Q. Is marijuana good for one’s health? The answer to
this question is complex and heavily debated, and may depend on whom you ask or
where you go for information.
Marijuana
abuse is associated with many detrimental health effects. These effects can
include frequent respiratory infections, impaired memory and learning,
increased heart rate, anxiety, panic attacks and tolerance. Animal studies suggest marijuana causes physical dependence
and some people report withdrawal symptoms. Someone who smokes marijuana
regularly may have many of the same respiratory problems that tobacco smokers
do, such as daily cough and phlegm production, more frequent acute chest
illnesses, a heightened risk of lung infections and a greater tendency toward
obstructed airways. Cancer of the respiratory tract and lungs may also be
promoted by marijuana smoke. Marijuana use has recently been linked to risks for increased stroke.
There are also some reported health benefits to the use of marijuana. Medical marijuana patients report that it helps overcome nausea and vomiting, stimulates hunger, reduces intraocular eye pressure and helps treat gastrointestinal illness. More detailed discussion and scientific information regarding marijuana health can be found at the National Institute on Drug Abuse, WebMD, National Office of Drug Control Policy. Wikipedia provides extensive sources for its extensive entries on both the health impacts and the medical use of cannabis. Q. Is marijuana addictive?
Yes, according to the National Office of Drug Control Policy in detailing its case.
Q. Is marijuana use more risky for youth?
According
to the Washington Department of Social and Health Services report: 2010 Abuse Trends in
Washington State (p. 259), marijuana
is the most frequently citied drug of abuse in youth admissions among youth
whose treatments are state-funded.
A study
updated in 2013 by the National Research Center for Women and Families
states: There are growing concerns about the short-term dangers of
marijuana use among youth, as well as the long-term health risks, such as
cancer. The short-term dangers include but are not limited to memory loss,
distorted perception, trouble with thinking and problem solving, loss of motor
skills, and increased heart rate. As teens get older, other short-term dangers
may arise from marijuana use. It has a very negative effect on driving, for
instance. In a road test, reaction time increased 36 percent, which would
result in driving an additional 139 feet before stopping if the person was
driving 59 miles per hour. And infants born to mothers who smoke marijuana
during pregnancy are shorter, weigh less, and have smaller heads.
Crime and Public Safety and Health Issues According to the Northwest HIDTA’s: “Threat Assessment and Strategy for Program Year 2013”:
The National Office of Drug Control Policy indicates violent Mexican
criminal organizations will continue to operate in the United States regardless
of whether marijuana is legal because of its association with other illicit
substances and other violent and illegal activity.
See ONDCP’s “Facts and Answers to the Frequently Asked Questions about Marijuana” for more information and discussion, as well as our additional resources page. |
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