Marijuana is, without a doubt, one of the most hotly debated drugs.
On one hand, you could argue that considering it’s so widely used for medicinal purposes, it must have beneficial qualities but on the other, it’s still a drug and an illegal one in many parts of the world.
What’s the truth about cannabis? Below we reveal everything you ever wanted to know about smoking marijuana.
Cannabis Legalization
The ongoing argument about whether or not marijuana should be legalized is perhaps why the drug is such a widely discussed one. While some countries have decriminalized it in a bid to cut down crime and usage, others come down hard on anyone caught using it.
The big question is, does cannabis legalization really have an impact on usage and addiction rates? One government report released a few years back in the UK revealed that there is, in fact, no obvious link between tough laws and levels of illegal drug use.
When compared with 13 other countries around the world, it was concluded that drug use is actually influenced by factors far more complex and nuanced than legislation and enforcement.
In 2001, Portugal made possession a health issue rather than a criminal one and a bigger focus was placed on prevention, treatment, harm reduction and reinsertion. Since then, there has been a considerable improvement in the health of drug users in the country and there has also been a reduction in the number of HIV cases and overdoses.
In the Czech Republic, however, although the possession of drugs is illegal, being caught with a small amount is treated as an administrative offence and is punishable only with a fine. Levels of cannabis use in the country are among the highest in Europe which suggests that being able to use it freely can still have devastating side effects and lead to addiction.
Marijuana legalization in Canada
Canada was the first country to legalize marijuana for medical use and in June of this year, it became only the second nation in the world to legalize recreational use of the drug. Speaking about the reason for this vote, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau commented:
“It’s been too easy for our kids to get marijuana – and for criminals to reap the profits. Today, we change that. Our plan to legalize and regulate marijuana just passed the Senate.”
The justice minister, Jody Wilson-Raybould, also applauded the vote:
“This is a historic milestone for progressive policy in Canada. This legislation will help protect our youth from the risks of cannabis while keeping profits out of the hands of criminals and organized crime.”
What exactly does this mean for Canada however? Once the bill is formally approved, adults will be able to carry and share up to 30 grams of legal marijuana in public. They will also be allowed to cultivate up to four plants in their home and prepare products such as edibles for personal use.
Stringent rules will still govern the purchase and use of marijuana, however. Consumers will only be able to purchase cannabis from regulated retailers or federally licensed producers. It also cannot be sold in the same location as alcohol or tobacco.
The minimum age for consumption is 18 years and the production, distribution, or sale of cannabis products remains an offence for minors.
While the legalization of cannabis might suggest that it’s perfectly safe to consume, it’s important to be aware of the potential side effects of using this drug. Below we discuss all the marijuana health effects you need to know.
Even recreational use can have serious consequences
We all know the usual side effects of smoking cannabis – increased appetite, laughing and feeling spaced out. Unfortunately, however, there are some lesser known and more serious long-term health effects of marijuana.
Even recreational use has been found to have serious consequences on our mental state. It can result in psychotic symptoms, panic attacks, deficient attention and impaired concentration.
The type and severity of these effects do of course depend on a number of factors including the composition of the drug, how often a person uses it, the user’s disposition and how much they’ve consumed at that particular time.
It can produce many physical symptoms
One of the most obvious signs that someone has been smoking marijuana is that their eyes become bloodshot. There are however many other physical symptoms including vomiting, inflammation in the mouth, excessively fast heartbeat, arrhythmias, irritation of the respiratory system and even chronic bronchitis.
You may be more vulnerable to the health effects of marijuana than others
Some people may be able to smoke marijuana with very few obvious side effects while others can consume a small amount and really feel it. This is because some of us are more prone to the effects than others.
Those who are particularly vulnerable include children and adolescents, people with a history of psychosis, depression, anxiety or other mental disorders, pregnant women and those with pre-existing cardiovascular and respiratory problems.
The short-term effects of cannabis
Aside from the initial ‘high’ that users feel, marijuana can also:
- Alter our senses
- Change our mood
- Impair body movement
- Cause difficulties with thinking and problem-solving
- Impair memory
- Induce panic and anxiety
- Alter our sense of time
- Cause tiredness or depression
- Increase the chance of a heart attack because it increases our heart rate
- Cause red and bloodshot eyes
- Increase appetite which can lead to weight gain
The long-term effects of smoking marijuana
One of the biggest misconceptions about cannabis is that it doesn’t have a long-term impact on our health. Sadly, however, this is simply not the case. Aside from increasing the chances of suffering from marijuana addiction, prolonged use can cause a number of health issues.
- Respiratory problems – just like cigarette smoke, marijuana smoke is made up of a number of toxic chemicals which can irritate the bronchial passages and lungs. If you smoke it on a regular basis, you’re likely to suffer from wheezing, coughing and producing phlegm. You’re also at increased risk of contracting bronchitis and lung infections and it can also aggravate existing respiratory illnesses such as asthma and cystic fibrosis.
- Circulatory problems – one of the main ingredients in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), within just minutes, this chemical can cause your heart rate to increase by up to 50 beats per minute. This rapid heartbeat can continue for up to three hours and for those with heart disease, it can increase your risk of a heart attack.
- It affects your central nervous system – another problem with THC is that is causes the brain to release large amounts of dopamine. While this allows us to feel a temporary and pleasant high, it can also heighten our sensory perception and perception of time. It also changes the way we process information so our judgement may can be impaired in the long-run.
- It causes changes in the brain – one of the most worrying impacts of cannabis use it the changes it causes in the brain. This can upset our balance, coordination and reflex responses and large doses can cause hallucinations or delusions.
- It affects your memory – In a study carried out by scientists at Northwestern University in Illinois, it was found that former marijuana smokers had developed a number of concerning brain abnormalities. As well as effects on short-term memory, study participants also demonstrated reduced performance on memory-related tasks. Perhaps the most worrying find was that the brains of marijuana smokers were abnormally shaped and looked similar to those suffering from schizophrenia.
Marijuana and mental health
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, there may even be a link between marijuana use and some mental health conditions.
Marijuana and anxiety
A lot of people smoke marijuana because they believe it helps to relax and calm them down. In recent years, however, many questions have been raised about whether or not the drug actually contributes to or can even cause anxiety.
Why marijuana use can contribute to anxiety:
- It may be laced with other anxiety-causing chemicals
- The act of buying illegal drugs can cause considerable stress and anxiety
- How and when you take drugs can affect anxiety. For example, if you’re around someone who disapproves of it or if you’re worried about getting caught, you will experience a less pleasant high
- Withdrawal – one of the biggest side effects of withdrawal from marijuana is anxiety. As a result, it’s possible that even those without anxiety problems can develop at least temporary anxiety during the withdrawal phase
- Fear of developing a marijuana addiction can increase anxiety levels
Marijuana and depression
There is evidence to suggest that marijuana users are diagnosed with depression more often than non-users. This has particularly found to be the case among regular or heavy smokers.
There is, however, no clear research to confirm whether or not the drug directly causes depression. It’s thought that it’s more likely that the genetic, environmental or other factors that trigger depression, leads to marijuana use. Some people with depression may for example use the drug to detach themselves from their depressive symptoms. Heavy users may also appear depressed as a simple result of the dulling effect that cannabis has on our feelings and emotions.
More research is needed into these associations before it can be determined with certainty whether or not marijuana causes depression.
Marijuana and pregnancy
Medical professionals have linked marijuana use during pregnancy with increased risk for a number of complications including:
- Low birth weight
- Premature birth
- Small head circumference
- Small length
- Stillbirth
Even after the child is born, there can still be long-term issues caused by a mother consuming cannabis in any form during pregnancy. Although research is still ongoing, it has been found that babies exposed to the drug while in the womb may have problems as they get older including trouble with memory, attention, controlling impulses and school performance.
Is marijuana addictive?
Marijuana consumption can lead to the development of problem use and addiction in severe cases. Recent data suggests that 30% of people who use marijuana may have some degree of marijuana use disorder and those who begin using the drug before the age of 18 are four to seven times more likely to develop a marijuana use disorder compared to adults.
If you think that you or someone you know could have a problem, it’s important to be aware of the weed addiction signs.
Marijuana addiction signs
Despite its reputation for being harmless, marijuana can have serious consequences on our mental and physical health. It’s crucial to seek weed addiction help if you notice any of the following symptoms in yourself or someone else.
- Distorted perceptions
- Impaired coordination
- Difficulty when it comes to thinking and problem solving
- Ongoing problems with learning and memory
- Anxiety, paranoia or fear
- A constant, mucus-filled cough
- Slow reaction times
- Loss of control
- Irritability
- Sleeplessness
- While initial use often increases a user’s appetite, when an addiction takes hold, people often experience a decrease in appetite
- Not being able to get through the day without using the drug
- Continuing to use the substance regardless of the impact it’s having on work or relationships
If you would like further information about cannabis or need advice about getting marijuana addiction help, please feel free to contact Toronto Trauma and Addiction Counselling in the strictest of confidence and we will be more than happy to help.
