Marijuana:

Marijuana: Know the Facts

Since the legalization in Colorado, in 2014 and 2015 there were nearly $6 million in marijuana revenues in disbursed to local governments. However, the cost of law enforcement, drugged-driving incidents, fatal crashes, loss of productivity and a large spike in gang-related crime made law-makers question the cost benefit. Plus, teen drug-related expulsions in Colorado are also on the rise. Prisons are more crowded than ever with drug-dealers and Denver’s homeless population as increased to record numbers. Is building a tax empire on a narcotic substance worth the problems that come with it (6)?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States (8). Short-term effects of marijuana include changes in mood, memory, movement, problem-solving abilities, and disruption of divergent thinking hence diminishing a person’s ability to be creative. Long-term marijuana use affects mood, sleeping patterns, and brain development. These brain changes can last for a long time or could be permanent (8).

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the toxic substance that causes the high and addiction. THC in marijuana acts on brain cell receptors and interrupts the natural role by over-activating the parts of the brain that have the largest number of those receptors. Brain scans of frequent cannabis users revealed a decreased activity and reduced volume of the hippocampus (the part of the brain responsible for learning and memory). These differences are more prominent if the user started in adolescence with a steep decline of brain activity including a person’s IQ (12). During the teen years, the brain is more vulnerable to chemicals like THC. Repeated use during adolescence may cause long-lasting changes in brain function (13).

THC levels in the marijuana of today are much greater than they were years ago. In the 1960’s THC levels were 2%, in 1990’s THC levels were 3.7%, ten years ago THC levels were 8-15%, and today THC levels are 20-30% with levels being higher in marijuana concentrates and edibles at 40-99%. These high levels are due to illegal plant imports and genetic modifications (8). Therefore, a person who is new to the marijuana of today is exposed to toxic levels of THC and there is a greater chance of harm, addiction, adverse psychotic reactions (8) and it can exacerbate psychiatric illnesses such as bi-bolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance use induced psychotic disorder (11).

Is Marijuana Medicine?

For a drug to be deemed a “medicine,” it has to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has not found or approved marijuana as a safe or effective drug for medical purposes. Research has shown that certain properties in cannabis may be helpful to treat nausea, appetite, seizures, and pain. Therefore, the FDA has approved three synthetic, not real THC but synthetic, medications for multiple sclerosis, cancer, AIDS, and seizure disorder patients (ONLY). These options are available in a pill form, and the synthetic levels of THC are very low (less than 2%). The pills or liquid must be prescribed by a primary physician and regulated by a pharmacist. Marijuana has not been approved as a medicine because it contains harmful chemicals, THC, is highly addictive and has an increased potential for abuse that could lead to addiction (4).

What is Cannabidiol?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found in marijuana; it does not contain the harmful and addictive substance, THC. Why are THC levels rising in modern marijuana? Because CBD is being removed from it to make the THC levels stronger. There have been clinical trials to learn if CBD can help with ailments or illnesses, so far there have been zero scientific breakthroughs, meaning it’s not safe to use as a medicine. The FDA has NOT approved CBD as a medication for treatment, and regardless people are trying to sell it as a remedy for ailments. The FDA is investigating several companies marketing CBD oil and also found that some products did not contain the levels of CBD they claimed (4). Therefore, it’s not recommended for purchase or use. Keep in mind that CBD is not THC; when a person smokes or ingests marijuana, the harm to that person comes from THC. If marijuana has any medicinal qualities, they would be found in the compound CBD. However, additional research must be done to make conclusions about its therapeutic qualities (14).

Now that you know the facts about marijuana, here are a few more:

• Regular, heavy marijuana use can lead to substance use disorder which in many cases turns into a more severe case of addiction. Research shows that about 30% of those that use cannabis regularly develop substance use disorder. Long time users who tried to quit often report that it’s difficult and withdrawal symptoms include: grouchiness, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and intense cravings. Plus, those that report using marijuana regularly on a long-term basis have lower life satisfaction, poorer mental health, poorer physical health (including acute bronchitis, ear infections, & more accident-related injuries including car accidents), and more relationship problems. They’re more likely to drop out of high school and less likely to go to college (8).

• Marijuana is associated with low test scores and lack of concentration in the school. Why? Because marijuana affects attention, memory and learning and can last for days or weeks after use. Therefore, daily use can harm intellectual functioning, lead to addiction, and is also linked to unemployment and lack of life satisfaction. Marijuana use among youth can turn their lives into a pattern that interferes with their ability to have a productive, active, and healthy life (1).

• Can a person overdose on marijuana? Yes. Plus, marijuana overdoses are becoming more and more prevalent. Signs and symptoms of overdose include anxiety, severe panic attacks, psychotic reactions (paranoia, delusions, loss of identity, and hallucinations), decreased perception, fast heart rate, chest pain, heart attack, shaking or seizures, pale skin, sudden high blood pressure with headache, and although rare in extreme cases the cause is death (9). Nationally, there are more Emergency Department visits for marijuana overdose than heroin (10). If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, call 911.

What can you do?

Understand the issue and consider where you’re getting your information. What is the source? Always get your information from a reliable source. According to the 2016 ETHS survey, ETHS students believe that parents, health and wellness teachers, and the health center are reliable sources of information; students are encouraged to utilize them. There are reliable and educated persons you can talk to at your local community center or health department. There are several reliable online sources like the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Ask, Listen Learn (asklistenlearn.org), OR an Evidence-based journal article written by qualified individuals such as the sources utilized to write this article. In case you were wondering…a drug dealer is not a reliable source of information.

If you’re reading information online and it’s “pro-marijuana”, it’s probably being funded by Big marijuana companies, just like Big tobacco companies that targeted and still target marketing toward youth and teens; to get them hooked while they’re young, so they continue to buy their products into adulthood. Marijuana companies are doing the same thing, be smart guys (7). One more thing, be sure your data is accurate.

Why is prevention important?

It’s important to raise awareness and talk about real issues facing teens because teens are smart and they know what’s happening in the world. Plus, since drug and alcohol prevention campaigns began at ETHS 15 years ago, alcohol, tobacco and other substance use has decreased (ETHS substance use survey, 2016). It’s imperative to have programs such as community-based, family-based and school-based prevention education programs to teach young people the facts about marijuana, alcohol, and other substance use. These educational programs should involve parents or guardians, the school and the whole community in general. If you or someone you know needs to talk, please reach out to PEER Services at (847)492-1778 .

References

1. Barnwell-Smucker, S., Earlywine, M., and Wilcox, R. (2006) Cannabis, Motivation, and Life Satisfaction in an Interenet Sample. Substance Abuse Treatement, Prevention, and Policy Journal. V1:2. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p...

2. Cohen, K. and Kruglick, P. (2001). Maternal and Parental Recreational Drug Use and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. Vol.155(7):765-70. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11434841/)

3. ETHS Youth Substance Use and Perceptions Survey (2016).

4. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Website. FDA and Marijuana. Retrieved from: https://www.fda.gov/newsevents...

5. Walton, A. (2015). A New Study Shows how Marijuana has Changed Over Time. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/a...

6. Haun, M. (2015). The Unexpected Side Effects of Legalizing Weed. Newsweek. Retrieved from

http://www.newsweek.com/unexpe...

7. Hughes, T. (April 2015). Will Big Tobacco Become Big Marijuana? USA TODAY. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story...

8. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Website, April 2017. Retrieved from: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publ...

9. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Website, August 2017. Retrieved from: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publ...

10. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Website. (May, 2011) Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publ...

11. Sailaja, A., and Masood, K. Cannabis-Induced Bipolar Disroder with Psychotic Features. Psychiatry. Vol 6(12):44-48. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p...

12. Squeglia, L. M., Jacobus, J., & Tapert, S. F. (2009). The Influence of Substance Use on Adolescent Brain Development. Clinical EEG and Neuroscience : Official Journal of the EEG and Clinical Neuroscience Society (ENCS), 40(1), 31–38.

13. Volkow, N. (2015). National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/abou...

14. Volkow, N. M.D., Baler, R. Ph.D., Compton, W. M.D., and Weiss, S. Ph.D. (2014). Adverse Health Effects of Marijuana Use. New England Journal of Medicine. V370(23) pg. 2219-2227. Retrieved from: https://dfaf.org/assets/docs/A...