Study: Adolescents Should Avoid Cannabis

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News from Down Under: adolescents should avoid developing cannabis habits according to a recent study. The study examines the sequelae, long-term effects, of adolescent cannabis use on a person from adolescence into young adulthood. The purpose of the study was to look at effects of long-term use, since all other studies on long-term effects had used a piecemeal approach to derive any conclusions.

The study funded by the Australian Government National Health and Medical Research Council examined nearly 3,800 people from adolescence to 30 years of age in Australia and New Zealand. According to the study, the group of people who never used marijuana had far less trouble completing high school and college, less reported depression, fewer suicide attempts, and less dependence on marijuana and other drugs into adulthood.

The study found that adolescents who use marijuana tend to have more problems continuing into young adulthood; this accounts for adjustments regarding different socioeconomic factors and frequency of use. Ultimately, the report drew a correlation between adolescent cannabis use and an increase in troubles in young adulthood.

The study caused Sean Williams of The Motley Fool to wonder whether it signals the end for medical marijuana. Williams also pointed out that marijuana remains a schedule I drug in the United States, and how this distinction prevents cannabis-based pharmaceuticals from seeing the light of day in the United States.

For instance, there is Sativex, a drug created by GW Pharmaceuticals. Its uses include treatment for neuropathic pain and spasticity from epilepsy. It is legal in 12 countries, but the United States is not one of them. Williams suggested that this recent study will further hinder the chances of drugs like Sativex.

According to an article on UNSW’s website, the authors of the study said that their work is important because marijuana is being legalized for medical and recreational purposes throughout the United States and Latin America. With marijuana’s greater societal acceptance comes the risk of greater availability to adolescents.

In that same article, Merete Nodentoft, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Copenhagen, said that the trends in the Americas decriminalizing marijuana will lead to lower prices and more use. Nodentoft continued down the slippery slope when she said more young people will see their school performance suffer, as will their social and personal habits, leading ultimately to more psychosis.

Still, despite damning evidence that cannabis is bad for adolescents, no one is actually suggesting adolescents should use cannabis. The authors of the study all stopped short of saying cannabis acceptance should be rolled back, but they did say that legislation needs to maintain a sensitivity towards adolescent use.

Whatever false notions people attach to cannabis will certainly be reinforced by this study. However, not all studies related to cannabis are negative. JAMA recently released a study that highlights how the states that have legal medical marijuana now also have fewer opioid-overdose deaths. Medical marijuana supporters will need to take the good with the bad, but contrary to what The Motley Fool might think, the sun is far from setting on this industry.

Matt Berg is a writer from Northwest Denver. Matt writes on a range of topics including science, music, motorcycles, politics, sports and more. He is always looking for adventure and his next story to tell. Connect with Matt on Twitter: @tomjoad187.

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