A recent study shows once again that marijuana is harmful for teens and young adults.
Nationwide, many states have legalized marijuana to varying degrees, and the Trump Administration has moved to ease federal restrictions on marijuana. But while policymakers push for more marijuana, scientific evidence continues to show that’s a bad idea.
Researchers from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine analyzed medical records from nearly 12,000 teens over the course of a decade.
The study found adolescents who started using marijuana showed slower gains in memory, attention, and cognitive skills compared to non-users over time.
Again and again, scientific evidence has shown that marijuana is dangerous — especially for teens and young adults.
Addiction experts note that marijuana can trigger mental health problems like depression, anxiety, and psychosis.
A recent study from Columbia University found even “casual” marijuana use is linked to higher rates of depression, anxiety, and impulsive behavior in teenagers.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found teen psychiatric emergencies spiked after marijuana commercialization began in the state.
THC — the main psychoactive substance in marijuana — has been tied repeatedly to everything from heart disease and cancer to stroke, mental illness, and birth defects.
In fact, researchers now say marijuana use doubles a person’s risk of death from heart disease.
And instead of decreasing crime, marijuana’s legalization has actually emboldened drug cartels and increased the flow of illegal drugs across America.
All of this underscores what we have said for years: Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
