Teenage Pot Smoking leads to mental health issues in states that legalize marijuana

[Melensdad]

Indiana does not allow pot, it is still a criminal activity here. But an hour drive to my north is Michigan that allows it. And to my west is Illinois, another state that has legalized marijuana. I believe people have the right to destroy their lives but I also believe in protecting children. So I found this pretty interesting, and, actually somewhat surprising. It does note that the results are not conclusive but it seems as if we need to study this, and perhaps there should be some regulation on potency?

Full story is at the link, follow it to CenerSquare for the full story:

Study: Teen cannabis use rose, mental health declined in states with fewer legal restrictions

(The Center Square) – States that have legalized marijuana have seen increasingly strong THC products and a rise in mental health issues among teenagers, a newly released nationwide study reports.

www.thecentersquare.com

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Teen cannabis use rose, mental health declined in states with fewer legal restrictions​

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(AP Photo/Marina Riker, File)​

Marina Riker/ AP Photos​

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(The Center Square) – States that have legalized marijuana have seen increasingly strong THC products and a rise in mental health issues among teenagers, a newly released nationwide study reports.​

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The study, also commissioned by the group Johnny’s Ambassadors, said that states that have loosened restrictions on marijuana have seen more use among teens as well as declining mental health.​

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“A difference-in-means test demonstrates that cannabis use is higher among all age groups in more highly permissive states, with 47 percent more monthly cannabis use among adolescents (ages 12-17) and 81 percent more monthly cannabis use among young adults (ages 18-25) in US states with fully legalized recreational cannabis programs than states where cannabis use has not been legalized,” the report said. “While cannabis use grew, subsequent raises in mean averages for major depressive events, severe mental illnesses, and suicidal thoughts all increased in more highly permissive US states.”​

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While causation is not necessarily proven by the study, the researchers are calling for a deeper look ...​

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“The research results presented in this study demonstrate that for each one percent increase in overall monthly cannabis use, self-reported major depression increased by 0.45 percent for adolescents and 0.21 percent for young adults,” the report said. “For every one percent increase in overall monthly cannabis use by young adults, severe mental illnesses increased by 0.12 percent and suicidal thoughts increased by 0.11 percent. . .​

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According to the National Institutes of Health, research has shown a linkage between marijuana use and negative mental health outcomes, but not all studies have not found such a link. ​

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“Several studies have linked marijuana use to increased risk for psychiatric disorders, including psychosis (schizophrenia), depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, but whether and to what extent it actually causes these conditions is not always easy to determine,” the federal health agency says on its website. “Recent research suggests that smoking high-potency marijuana every day could increase the chances of developing psychosis by nearly five times compared to people who have never used marijuana. The amount of drug used, the age at first use, and genetic vulnerability have all been shown to influence this relationship. . .​

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[m1west]

Ive been using it for 30 years instead of narcotics to sleep, it caused me to start my own construction company and work nearly every day. In other words, Bullshit.

 

[300 H and H]

Ive been using it for 30 years instead of narcotics to sleep, it caused me to start my own construction company and work nearly every day. In other words, Bullshit.

Video games and social media are art of this problem with Teen's. I would bet money on it.

 

[Lenny]

They've been saying this for years that pot inhibits the growth of the brain in kids. The government should be outlawing pot, like they're trying to do with guns.

 

[Melensdad]

They've been saying this for years that pot inhibits the growth of the brain in kids. The government should be outlawing pot, like they're trying to do with guns.

Say it louder for the folks in the back.

We know that kids brains are not fully developed, some medical professionals insist, until roughly the age of 25. So heavy pot smoking at younger ages can reasonably be suspected to cause some problems.

What I do as a 60+ year old is certainly not going to hinder my growth, or cause developmental issues in parts of my body that are not yet fully developed because all those parts, the brain included, are well past their prime. But that is no so with teenagers. And this article was about teenagers.

I have no issues with ADULTS who drink, smoke tobacco, smoke pot or even do some of the harder drugs as personal choices as long as they keep it to themselves. Just like other behaviors. But when KIDS are involved then I think there is a reasonable reason for regulation.

 

[Lenny]

Say it louder for the folks in the back.

We know that kids brains are not fully developed, some medical professionals insist, until roughly the age of 25. So heavy pot smoking at younger ages can reasonably be suspected to cause some problems.

What I do as a 60+ year old is certainly not going to hinder my growth, or cause developmental issues in parts of my body that are not yet fully developed because all those parts, the brain included, are well past their prime. But that is no so with teenagers. And this article was about teenagers.

Is this what they want? Part of the dumbing down of America???

 

[Melensdad]

Is this what they want? Part of the dumbing down of America???

I think that states often want to cater to the reality of the drugs being used. AND GET TAX REVENUES. So if you can't beat the dealers you might as well legalize and tax them.

They did the same with casino boats and gambling and we now have TV ads running during the news for gambling rehabilitation. But that affects far fewer people because the casinos and gambling venues are off limits to young people.

But there are consequences.

Pot/drugs are different because once they are sold to an adult they can be resold, given to, shared with kids very easily.

 

[NorthernRedneck]

It's been legal up here since 2019 I believe. Before then, I swore I'd never touch it. Now I take it in pill form in the morning for pain and at night for both pain and as a sleep aide.

I can see though not allowing anyone under age to use it as it could affect their cognitive development.

 

[Melensdad]

. . . I can see though not allowing anyone under age to use it as it could affect their cognitive development.

So this is the rub.

Under age = CHILDREN

Kids probably don't want to take it in pill form but in my daughter's FULLY NO SMOKING apartment building you can smell it in the hallways. Lots of youngish people in the building, college students and young professionals. Aged 19 to 30 are very common to see in the elevators, out on the sun/party roof, etc. It is a SOCIAL drug, just like alcohol starts and usually is a SOCIAL drug. We do it when we get together and hang out, before we go to parties, etc.

And those 19-20 years olds are doing it illegally but nobody will 'bust' them because they are young, good looking college students surrounded by legal young professionals and other legal age college students (21+)

But most pot is consumed by young people at much younger ages. 14, 15, 16 and on street corners and in hang outs in both rural and urban areas, and those are the kids who are at very serious risk if they smoke enough of it. Just like they are at risk of dying of lung cancer if they smoke tobacco.

We all recognize that cigarettes increase the risk of lung cancer. Cause & effect is hard to deny. But we don't accept that pot smoking by young people causes cognitive brain issues, reduced cognative development, etc.

Just because it doesn't harm a seriously 30 year old does not mean it does not harm a 16-17 year old because their brains are not yet fully developed.