Realizing that many think marijuana should be legalized and taxes made, I wanted to put this article out here. Marijuana is not a harmless drug as many have touted. Think about this article and realize that the marijuana of the Woodstock days is long gone and the effects are getting more costly with each "toke over the line." Just something to chew on with your morning scones and herbal teas.
SATURDAY, Feb. 27 (HealthDay News) -- Long-term use of marijuana can lead to increased risk of developing hallucinations, delusions and psychosis, a new study shows.
Australian researchers asked nearly 3,100 young adults averaging about 20 years of age about marijuana use. They found that almost 18 percent reported using the drug for three or fewer years, about 16 percent for four to five years, and just over 14 percent for six or more years.
Among the participants, 65 had been diagnosed with a "non-affective psychosis" such as schizophrenia, and 233 had at least one positive item for hallucination on a diagnostic interview conducted for the study.
The researchers found there was an association between length of marijuana use and mental health.
"Compared with those who had never used cannabis, young adults who had six or more years since first use of cannabis [i.e., who commenced use when around 15 years or younger] were twice as likely to develop a non-affective psychosis and were four times as likely to have high scores on the Peters et al Delusions Inventory [a measure of delusion]," wrote Dr. John McGrath, of the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Park Centre for Mental Health in Wacol, and colleagues. "There was a 'dose-response' relationship between the variables of interest: the longer the duration since the first cannabis use, the higher the risk of psychosis-related outcomes."
I can't think of any other illegal drug that is as controversial as marijauna. For as many studies you can cite that advise against its use, you can find nearly or as many that tout the medical benefits.
ReplyDeleteI am seriously wondering if it should be treated like any other 'medicine' and regulated. I know that will not stop the abuse of it, just as having hydrocodone regulated doesn't stop its abuse.
I don't know. I've never used illegal drugs. Ever. That's the truth. I don't want to. Those close to me with abuse issues were using other substances, and marijuana was never a big part of their abuse. They weren't looking to mellow out, they were looking for something way bigger.
Maybe the reality is that I don't have a strong opinion about marijauna. I don't know if that is a good thing or not.
Great article by the way. Yeah I happen to agree with you marijuana can be dangerous if used in the long term, but I've heard that smoking and drinking can be more harmful. I think marijuana should be regulated, but then I believe the same for smoking as well. I also believe that more research needs to be carried into the effects it may cause.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the input from you guys and I do realize that this is a hot button topic. We all bring our own experiences for the basis of our opinions and I respect that fact.
ReplyDeleteMy experiences concerning this drug have taught me that although this is a drug that is touted as having medicinal qualities, the negative aspects outweigh anything else.
Talking to dopers at any length can let you see the sluggish running of the grey matter. Short term memory is harmed by smoking dope. Inability to focus and carry through with complex directions are common side effects. Lung damage is another aspect that isn't discussed, either.
Yeah, yeah, I know that smokers are a laid back group of druggies; they have to be as they are too stoned to do much but lie around and laugh.
I agree with you 100%!
ReplyDeleteNow today I read an article that there's HEMP MILK. When I told my husband, he almost choked on his dinner. I think he belived that I was making that up. Nope, can you imagine? "Hey, Sonny, don't bogart that carton of milk, my friend."
ReplyDeleteJust thought of a great ad, "Hemp milk, does a hippie good."
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting and commenting on my blog post on pot. These studies are scary especially when I read that young teenagers are using this stuff. I do however think that smoking cigarettes is just as harmful. I'm still on the fence about this pot club opening in my neighborhood. I'm afraid there will be an increase in crime.
ReplyDelete