Marijuana

Marijuana came to represent love and peace in the 60s and has never quite lost that image but this is far from the truth. Anyone who uses marijuana regularly is more likely to engage in aggressive and violent behavior, cause trouble at school and destroy property. Violence at a global level is connected with marijuana trafficking. In California, Mexican drug trafficking organizations, with high-powered assault weapons, control the marijuana fields, not peace-loving flower children with their beads. Criminal groups operating from Mexico promote their version of love and peace through torture, executions and other acts of violence.

Marijuana is not harmless, contrary to common misconception. The use of marijuana can lead to health, safety, learning and social problems and abuse of other harmful drugs. Marijuana is more potent than it used to be, increasing the problems.

EFFECTS – Marijuana contains some of the same cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco. In fact the amount of tar and monoxide inhaled is five times greater, puff for puff in marijuana, than cigarettes, contributing to respiratory problems for people who smoke it on a regular basis. Chronic use can be associated with chronic coughing, wheezing and acute chest illnesses Scientists at the University of California and scientists in England at the University of Birmingham have discovered that marijuana can cause respiratory problems and even marked deterioration in lung function after a number of years of use. The study in Birmingham concludes that these findings “may have serious long-term implication for what is currently regarded as a relatively ‘harmless’ recreational habit.”

Marijuana users are likely to be low academic performers. Marijuana can cause problems with concentration and thinking. One study found that college students who used marijuana regularly had impaired attention and memory skills 24 hours after using the drug. Their poor academic performance and later frequent absenteeism from work, puts users low on the list of those “most likely to succeed”. Good sport performance is difficult to achieve for someone with poor coordination caused by marijuana use. As this can be a key deterrent and the only point of concern for those young people with ambitions of doing well at school sports, it is a point that should be made known by parents and teachers.

Marijuana can cause increased anxiety, panic attacks, depression and even thoughts of suicide. Users have impairment in sensory and time perception and aren’t safe drivers. 15 % of shock-trauma patients involved in car accidents had been smoking marijuana according to one report.

nother common misconception is that marijuana is not addictive. Regular users behave like any other drug dependent persons. They will use it compulsively even if it is creating problems with family, work, health or their social life. Heavy marijuana users can develop withdrawal symptoms when ceasing use of the drug. Withdrawal symptoms include irritability, anxiety and difficulty sleeping.

We think of marijuana users as young people and may erroneously dismiss it as a phase of life, or something that kids will grow out of. The truth is the earlier kids start using marijuana; the more likely they are to become dependent on other harmful drugs.

Four out of every ten persons, age 12 and older, have tried marijuana at least once in their lifetime and one of every ten reported using it within the last month (at the time of survey). It is the most commonly used illicit drug, but perhaps the most ignored in terms of the actual damage it does.

Kids do listen to their parents. Educate your kids on the real dangers of marijuana. Talk to them about their future and where they want to be one day. The party of the moment can lead to worse consequences than they probably realize.