Marijuana facts
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Comprehensive Overview of Marijuana: Facts and Implications
Prevalence and Legalization of Marijuana Use
Marijuana, also known as cannabis, is one of the most widely used recreational drugs globally, following nicotine and alcohol7. In the United States, marijuana is legal for medicinal purposes in 30 states and the District of Columbia, and for recreational use in 8 states4. The legalization has led to increased daily use and dependence among adults, with the prevalence of past-year use doubling in the past decade4. Retail sales in states like Colorado and Washington exceed $1 billion annually, highlighting the rapid commercialization of marijuana4.
Medical and Recreational Use
Marijuana has been used for various purposes, including medical, recreational, and spiritual, for over five millennia6. The primary active chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which interacts with the endocannabinoid system in the human body3 6. Despite its Schedule I classification by the FDA, indicating high addiction risk and no medical benefit, marijuana is used to treat conditions such as pain, depression, anxiety, and glaucoma5. However, the evidence supporting its medical benefits is limited and often outweighed by potential harms4 5.
Health Risks and Adverse Effects
Psychiatric and Cognitive Effects
Marijuana use is associated with several psychiatric and cognitive risks. Adolescents using marijuana may experience impaired short-term memory and driving skills, potentially leading to an amotivational syndrome2. Heavy cannabis use increases the risk of psychotic outcomes, and there is ongoing debate about its irreversible effects on IQ and cognition in adolescents4. Additionally, marijuana use can exacerbate conditions like depression and anxiety and is linked to emergency department visits and fatal vehicle crashes4.
Physical Health Risks
The physical health risks of marijuana include respiratory issues such as cough and sputum production, though data on long-term effects like obstructive lung disease and cardiovascular outcomes are insufficient4. Marijuana use during pregnancy is particularly concerning as THC can cross the placenta and affect the fetus3. Furthermore, marijuana use is associated with an increased risk of motor vehicle crashes, with a meta-analysis showing a significant dose-response relationship between THC levels and crash risk10.
Public Perception and Misconceptions
Public perception of marijuana has shifted significantly, with the perceived risk of weekly use dropping from 50.4% in 2002 to 33.3% in 20144. This change is partly due to extensive media coverage and the lack of regulated marketing, which contrasts with the strict regulations for tobacco and alcohol4. Misconceptions about the safety and benefits of marijuana, especially during pregnancy and for chronic conditions, persist among users5.
Conclusion
Marijuana remains a complex and controversial substance with both potential benefits and significant risks. While legalization has increased its use and commercial availability, the evidence base for its medical benefits is limited, and the risks, particularly for young users and pregnant women, are substantial. Public health messages and further research are crucial to address the gaps in knowledge and to inform safer use practices.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Marijuana: Current Concepts
Current research on cannabis sativa and its constituents reveals potential medical benefits, but public education on potential dangerous adverse effects is needed to counter media-driven misconceptions.
Highly CitedMarijuana: an overview.
Marijuana use in adolescents can impair short-term memory, driving skills, and impair normal maturation, leading to amotivational syndrome.
Highly CitedMarijuana and pregnancy.
THC in marijuana can cross the placenta and affect a baby's system during pregnancy.
Risks and Benefits of Marijuana Use
Marijuana use has increased in the U.S., with limited evidence on its benefits and risks, and its marketing has influenced public perception of its safety and potential harms.
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedHealth Policy for Marijuana
Marijuana is a Schedule I drug with high addiction risk and no medical benefit, but is legal in some states for various conditions despite studies showing greater harmful effects than benefits.
Systematic ReviewBlurred boundaries: the therapeutics and politics of medical marijuana.
Medical marijuana has potential therapeutic benefits, but its recreational use and potential addictive potential require further research and public approval before its legalization.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedThe Science of Marijuana
Cannabis science offers opportunities for new medicines and medical treatments, and its regulation varies globally, with the United States and Canada leading the way in liberalizing medical and recreational use.
Highly CitedMarijuana and Driving in Real-Life Situations
Driving under the influence of marijuana is as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol, with potential cumulative effects and overcompensation.
Non-RCTHighly CitedMarijuana effects on long-term memory assessment and retrieval
Marijuana does not affect long-term memory recall or recognition performance, and does not alter subjects' ability to accurately assess what information resides in long-term memory.
RCTMarijuana use and motor vehicle crashes.
Marijuana use by drivers is significantly associated with an increased risk of being involved in motor vehicle crashes.
Meta-AnalysisHighly Cited