With all the recent headlines about the states of Washington and Colorado legalizing marijuana and other states possibly contemplating such legislative action, some people may be tempted to believe that this somehow validates and justifies marijuana use for every person, teens included.
The debate over whether to allow marijuana to be used for medicinal purposes has battles scattered over every state. While some cite the benefits of the drug for those who suffer from chronic pain from injury or from a serious disease like cancer, others believe that the benefits do not outweigh the risks.
Canadian researchers have found that heavy methamphetamine users may have a higher risk of developing schizophrenia. In the first worldwide study of its kind, scientists from Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) found evidence to support the conclusion that there may be a link between long-term heavy methamphetamine use and cannabis use in …
New Study Shows Heavy Methamphetamine Users May Have A Higher Schizophrenia Risk Read More »
New research shows that the federal anti-drug campaign “Above the Influence” seems to have reduced teenage marijuana use. In a study of more than 3,000 students from 20 communities in the United States, the researchers found that by the end of 8th grade, 12 percent of those who didn’t see the campaign started smoking marijuana …
Above the Influence Campaign Helps Reduce Teen Marijuana Use Read More »
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that from 2008 to 2009, there was a 9 percent increase in people ages 12 and over who currently use marijuana. The average age of first-time use decreased to 17, which means more people are starting to use marijuana at earlier ages.
Spice drugs are not necessarily causing concern among parents or even law enforcement, but the availability of such drugs online should gain attention. Science Daily recently published a release that summarized the findings of a paper to be published this month by University of Hertfordshire researchers. A spice drug is the brand name for an …
A new study found that people who smoke marijuana before age 17 are 3.5 times more likely to attempt suicide as those who started smoking marijuana later in life. In addition, people who are dependent on marijuana have a higher risk of experiencing major depression and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The large-scale epidemiological study was …
Marijuana Dependency Linked to Depression, Suicidal Thoughts Read More »
Marijuana use among adolescents is an important element to measure. It is also important to understand their perception of risk when engaging in this activity as it can have a significant impact on their likelihood to engage and the frequency of use. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) released a report: Marijuana …
Study Measures Adolescent Marijuana Use and Perceived Risk Read More »
Mexico enacted a controversial law today that decriminalizes possession of small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and other drugs while encouraging government-financed treatment for addiction free of charge. The Associated Press reports that the law sets out maximum “personal use” amounts for drugs, also including LSD and methamphetamine. People detained with those quantities will no …
Mexico Legalizes Possessing Small Amounts of Drugs; Encourages Treatment Read More »
While a pro-marijuana group is launching an ad to encourage California legislators to legalize and tax the drug as a means of revenue, opponents want to remind the public that people under 18 who have used the drug are more likely to move on to harder-hitting drugs, putting 51 percent of California’s young people at …
Groups Oppose Pro-Marijuana Ads, Detailing Dangers of the Drug Read More »