In a recent article in the journal Psychiatric Times, doctors Nancy Shenoi and Richa Vijayvarjiya summarized the mental-health hazards of cannabis use among young people.
Many young users don’t understand the risks cannabis poses to their brains, due largely to the increasing perception of “weed” as relatively safe. The negative effects of marijuana—both those we have known about for decades, and those only now becoming evident—have become de-emphasized as a result, with public perception of its harm steadily decreasing. But modern marijuana is much more potent than in previous generations; the quality and THC content of even legal marijuana products are wildly variable; and their labelling leaves much to be desired. This, too, lulls users into a false sense of security.
Extensive research has proven cannabis use has a suite of negative effects on the young, developing brain. Among other things, it can trigger or contribute to psychoses and schizophrenia; interfere with the physical development of the brain, including the regions processing impulse control and social behavior; cause debilitating cannabis use disorder (CUD); harm working and long-term memory, learning, and attention; and increase the likelihood of amotivational syndrome and poor academic success, especially among heavy users.
In May 2024, the U.S. Justice Department proposed moving marijuana from Schedule I illegal status to Schedule III legality, allowing doctors to prescribe it at a federal level. More importantly, this would also ensure strict regulation of cannabis, allowing federal oversight of labeling and product content.
Click here to read the complete article in Psychiatric Times.