New Research Shows Heavy Marijuana Use Clouds Brain Function

Marijuana

New research shows heavy marijuana use significantly impairs brain function — particularly working memory.

Medical experts have found repeatedly that marijuana is linked to psychological and cognitive problems. Researchers writing recently in JAMA Network Open examined brain imagining from more than 1,000 young adults ages 22-36.

This study examined the ways recent marijuana use and heavy marijuana use affect brain activity during cognitive tasks.

Overall, marijuana users showed reduced activity in areas of the brain linked to memory, attention, and decision-making.

From heart disease and stroke to respiratory problems and mental illness, marijuana has been found time and time again to pose health hazards.

Fortunately, Arkansas has resisted efforts to legalize recreational marijuana.

All of this simply 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.

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Amendments Filed Dealing With Marijuana, Casinos in Arkansas

Legislation, ,

Three measures filed Thursday would amend the Arkansas Constitution concerning marijuana and casino gambling.

S.J.R. 6 by Sen. Bryan King (R — Green Forrest) would let the state use medical marijuana and casino tax-revenue for crime prevention.

S.J.R. 7 and S.J.R. 8 by Sen. King are “shell” amendments dealing with medical marijuana and casinos. A shell amendment is a measure that tells what the legislation’s purpose is, but it has not been fleshed out with actual language. Language can be added to shell amendments at a later point in the legislative session.

Amendment 98 to the Arkansas Constitution legalized “medical” marijuana, and Amendment 100 legalized casino gambling in Arkansas. Today, marijuana and casino gambling are multimillion dollar businesses.

There is evidence that casino gambling is preying on vulnerable Arkansans and that “medical” marijuana in Arkansas may simply be recreational marijuana by another name.

These industries are out of control. At this point, any legislation regulating marijuana and casino gambling might be a welcome change for the State of Arkansas.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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Candy Catastrophe: Marijuana Edibles Sending Children to the Hospital

Marijuana

News reports from Pennsylvania show marijuana edibles are sending more children to the hospital.

Doctors say increased access to candy and snack foods laced with THC are to blame.

WTAJ reports,

Children who accidentally consume THC-laced edibles often experience severe medical emergencies, including respiratory depression, seizures, and even coma. Nationwide, cases of edible cannabis exposure in children under 6 jumped from 207 in 2017 to 3,054 in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Across America, public health data shows marijuana products are sending kids to the emergency room.

Marijuana edibles often mimic popular foods, making it easy for children to confuse them with name-brand snacks. And because marijuana edibles may contain high concentrations of THC, the effects are much more dangerous — particularly for small children.

Heavy marijuana use is associated with an increased risk of psychotic disorders like schizophrenia. This is particularly true for children and teens who are already at risk for these conditions.

And regular marijuana use also is linked to increased risks of certain cancers, birth defects, heart attack, and stroke.

All of this simply 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.

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