Researchers into the effects of cannabis use have long assumed, based partly on apocryphal evidence and the “stoner” stereotype, that heavy users often suffer from decreased academic success. However, the association between cannabis use and academic achievement had not been systematically or rigorously tested; nor had the magnitude of any such association been fully determined.That changed when the results of a large meta-study were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics in January 2024.
The researchers reviewed the results of 63 previous studies,which included a sample size of 438,329individuals. According to them, “Both random-effects models and fixed-effects models were used for meta-analyses” by pairs of reviewers. Ultimately, they determined that there was probably an association tween cannabis use and poor academic achievement (including grades achieved, whether school drop-outs occurred, school absenteeism, and post-secondary degree attainment). The association was determined to be of moderate certainty and severity. Subgroups of heavy cannabis users and those who began cannabis use early showed “moderate credibility” for negative academic effects. Cannabis use during adolescence and young adulthood was especially associated with increased dropouts and absenteeism and the rest, including college enrollment and attainment of college degrees.
In addition, the researchers determined that cannabis use might have a weak association with increased unemployment. They recommend new policies and interventions to mitigate problems associated with early exposure to cannabis.
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