American Psychological Association reported in the Monitor, Nov. 2015 that marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug in the U.S. 23 states have legalized Cannabis sativa for medical use since 1996. Many states, like Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Washington D. C., now allow recreational use of the drug for people over 21. Acceptance of marijuana is growing like a weed.
There is concern that long term use and the impact on the brain. Susan Weiss, Ph.D. director of extramural research at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). There is growing literature, and it’s all pointing in the same direction: Starting young and using frequently may disrupt brain development.
In the short term, marijuana use has been shown to impair functions such as attention, memory, learning and decision-making. Heavy marijuana use in adolescence or early adulthood has been associated with a dismal set of life outcomes including poor school performance, higher dropout rates, increased welfare dependence, greater unemployment and lower life satisfaction.
In all states, peer helpers need to educate the impact of marijuana on the brain even in states where it has been legalized. The research is still being conducted concerning the medical uses. Ask local drug and alcohol specialists to update your peer helper group on the impact of marijuana.
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