Introduction
The use of recreational and medicinal drugs is a topic of public discussion across the world. Many people are concerned with the influence of marijuana, which is an important subject due to cannabis having substantial negative consequences but also being affiliated with certain health advantages (Dahlke et al., 2022, pp. 2-3). Matters surrounding marijuana intake are relevant to younger and older generations, with the latter needing the drug for medical reasons (Chadi et al., 2020, p. S16; Dahlke et al., 2022, p. 3). The impact of marijuana has been researched for a long time, yet society’s perceptions of its practicality vary because of cannabis’s unclear effects.
History and Characterization
Canadian government and citizens have a certain history with the approval of some substances. Marijuana, which refers to the dried leaves of the plant named Cannabis Sativa, was legalized in Canada in 2001 for health causes (Dahlke et al., 2022, p. 2; Memedovich et al., 2018, p. E339). In 2018, the state allowed the drug’s usage for recreational purposes, and many Canadians often smoke it before turning 30 years old (Dahlke et al., 2022, p. 2). Statistically, more than 2% of the world’s population utilizes marijuana, and the rate of cannabis use in Canada is about 10% (Memedovich et al., 2018, p. E339).
The primary modes of marijuana intake among Canadian youth are combustible cannabis, which is smoked employing a pipe or as a joint, and vaping devices, including e-cigarettes (Chadi et al., 2020, pp. S16-S17). Recently, the popularity of marijuana has grown because of increased access due to legalization, low perceived riskiness, and youth-friendly yet aggressive marketing by cannabis companies (Chadi et al., 2020, p. S16). The people and authorities in Canada have accepted marijuana, the usage of which has been expanding.
Primary Effects
The intake of cannabis is affiliated with considerable short-term outcomes, several of which serve in favor of the drug. Marijuana users report experiencing such feelings as euphoria, excitement, drowsiness, and sensory distortion, which are similar to other substances, including alcohol and tobacco (Memedovich et al., 2018, p. E339). Moreover, the younger generation considers cannabis to be one of the least harmful psychoactive agents and associates it with a higher sense of clarity, better concentration, and improved communication skills (Chadi et al., 2020, p. S18). Medical marijuana can positively affect many conditions related to the management of sleep, pain, and nausea (Dahlke et al., 2022, p.2). Cannabis is also connected to decreased muscle spasticity and reduced eye pressure (Gupta & Gupta, 2018, p. 34). Overall, the use of marijuana can promptly advance one’s physical and mental condition in certain cases.
Negative short-term effects of cannabis intake counter some of its benefits. For instance, medical marijuana can assist in managing nausea, but expectant women who use the drug are more likely to experience anemia (Dahlke et al., 2022, p. 2; Memedovich et al., 2018, p. E344). For people who have psychosis, cannabis raises the chances of relapse and readmission (Memedovich et al., 2018, p. E342). Furthermore, flavored cannabis vaping products contain harmful aerosols, heavy metals, and volatile organics (Chadi et al., 2020, p. S17). Marijuana does not present considerable immediate dangers but can worsen one’s condition during pregnancy or specific disorders.
Despite not having many observable short-term effects, cannabis usage has significant long-term consequences. Frequent intake of the drug can lead to a marijuana dependency and is associated with an earlier onset of such conditions as psychosis (Memedovich et al., 2018, p. E342). People often report that smoking cannabis helps them manage anxiety, yet marijuana is affiliated with higher levels of anxiety and manic phases (Gupta & Gupta, 2018, p. 40; Memedovich et al., 2018, p. E343). Cannabis is harmful to children exposed to the substance prenatally, as they are more likely to experience inattention, have lower IQ scores, or face academic underachievement further in their lives (Memedovich et al., 2018, p. E344). Moreover, marijuana usage is connected to testicular cancer, bronchodilation, and respiratory complications (Memedovich et al., 2018, p. E344). People who continuously consume cannabis can develop acute diseases and worsen present disorders.
Marijuana intake has several prolonged advantages in addition to promptly relieving pain or handling sleep troubles. However, those benefits often come alongside substantial complications (Gupta & Gupta, 2018, p. 39). For example, utilizing medical cannabis can help significantly reduce spasticity for people with spasticity-related multiple sclerosis (Gupta & Gupta, 2018, p. 37). Nonetheless, marijuana usage in the same patients can cause adverse effects, including cognitive impairment (Gupta & Gupta, 2018, p. 37). Despite presenting certain positive outcomes, cannabis can damage cognition, hinder attention, and precipitate psychosis, especially in adolescents (Gupta & Gupta, 2018, p. 39). Consequently, when deciding on the use of marijuana, one should consider whether the benefits overpower the threats.
Influence on the Brain
The younger population is more likely to be negatively affected by cannabis intake due to the substance’s influence on the developing brain. The adolescent brain is quite vulnerable because of ongoing neuromaturational processes that are affiliated with executive functioning, including planning and problem-solving (Sagar & Gruber, 2018, p. 3). Accordingly, although marijuana is one of the most widely used drugs across the world, it impacts memory and executive function adversely (Memedovich et al., 2018, p. E339; Sagar & Gruber, 2018, p. 3). People who consume cannabis are threatened by verbal memory impairment concerning recording, recall, and recognition (Sagar & Gruber, 2018, pp. 3-4).
Moreover, the use of marijuana is related to altered patterns of brain activation across different brain regions, including the frontal cortex (Memedovich et al., 2018, p. E342; Sagar & Gruber, 2018, p. 4). Notably, persons who consume the drug typically demonstrate behavioral performance similar to those who do not but may employ less efficient neural strategies to complete tasks (Sagar & Gruber, 2018, p. 4). Cannabis has certain effects on the brain and especially on the cognitive operations of youth.
While the intake of marijuana presents considerable hazards to the evolving brain, certain variables moderate the severity of those perils. The earlier the onset of using cannabis, the higher are the chances of an individual having a relatively immature brain and a tendency to utilize the drug regularly (Sagar & Gruber, 2018, pp. 5-6). Increased frequency, measured in smokes per week, and magnitude, evaluated in grams per week, indicate poorer cognitive performance (Sagar & Gruber, 2018, p. 6). Most prior research on marijuana focused on heavy and chronic consumption of the substance, so the findings may not objectively reflect the effects on more casual and light cannabis users (Sagar & Gruber, 2018, p. 6).
Studies often propose mixed results because, unlike alcohol and some other drugs, exposure to cannabis is difficult to estimate due to a lack of standardized measures (Sagar & Gruber, 2018, p. 6). Since the strengths and potencies of marijuana products vary, there is little clarity on what constitutes heavy relative to light intake (Sagar & Gruber, 2018, p. 6). Since cannabis can affect the brain, one must consider many factors to make conclusions about each consumer.
Mental Health Outcomes
The impact of marijuana on one’s mental health is quite controversial. Despite inconsequential evidence that exists regarding the therapeutic benefits of cannabis, people report that the drug positively influences their mental health, especially when managing anxiety and mood (Wadsworth et al., 2019, p. 1). Nonetheless, cannabis intake is affiliated with a raised risk of anxiety, depression, and psychosis (Wadsworth et al., 2019, p. 1). Moreover, at the time of legalizing recreational marijuana, Health Canada’s list of conditions for which medical marijuana may be recommended included only depressed mood associated with chronic diseases (Wadsworth et al., 2019, p. 6). However, many Canadians, particularly the younger generation and those with mental health problems, rely on self-medication using cannabis for their emotional well-being (Wadsworth et al., 2019, p. 1). Overall, the dispute about the effects of marijuana on mental health signifies the need for more research and regulations to prevent the worsening of one’s condition.
Impact on Social Life
Alongside affecting an individual’s physical and mental health, the intake of cannabis can influence one’s social life. While some individuals believe that cannabis facilitates interactions with others and creates social cohesion, others perceive marijuana as a small element of their public connections (MacDougall & Maston, 2021, p. 9). Nevertheless, the young population, especially students, frequently encounter pressure to consume cannabis in order to be accepted and avoid social isolation (MacDougall & Maston, 2021, p. 9). Therefore, people may face a dilemma of whether to smoke the substance or risk being excluded from a group.
Furthermore, as marijuana intake can impact one’s relations with others, the drug presents certain consequences to other aspects of life. For instance, excessive marijuana use can diminish cognitive functioning and motivation (Thompson et al., 2018, p. 2). As a result, the substance can impact one’s educational and occupational goals by causing sufficient health problems and leading to prioritizing engagement in social contexts over academic achievements (Thompson et al., 2018, p. 2).
Frequent consumption of cannabis can provoke disadvantages in terms of obtaining skills essential for socioeconomic capital and well-being (Thompson et al., 2018, p. 2). Consumers with early onset and continuous use during adolescence and young adulthood are more likely to be unemployed, maintain a lower commitment to work, and have reduced financial stability (Thompson et al., 2018, p. 2). Accordingly, low income among those who actively utilize marijuana is related to difficulties paying for necessities and the increased likelihood of acquiring more credit card debt (Thompson et al., 2018, p. 8). Cannabis can hinder a person’s opportunities to receive a proper education and keep a job needed to sustain health, support a family, and secure financial independence.
Consequently, marijuana is associated with social stigma, which discourages those who need the drug for health purposes from using it. Because biases surrounding cannabis can affect a person’s social, professional, and familial relationships, the older population, who require the substance to manage pain, is reluctant to employ it (Dahlke et al., 2022, p. 3). Although marijuana stigmatization is likely to be decreasing for people in their 20s, the situation is different for other generations, including older persons (Dahlke et al., 2022, p. 4). Moreover, seniors are not comfortable engaging in meaningful conversations with health care providers to discuss the possible advantages and disadvantages of cannabis due to being wary of social judgment (Dahlke et al., 2022, p. 7). While marijuana intake can influence an individual’s interactions with others, societal prejudices regarding the substance prevent older people from utilizing medical cannabis.
Recommendations
Authors of particular articles used for the above discussion propose several suggestions concerning marijuana usage. Gupta and Gupta (2018) state that because of a lack of consensus among qualified experts and few benefits of medical marijuana, the intake of the drug within clinical settings is not reasonable (p. 39). Wadsworth et al. (2019) advise providing education about marijuana to control self-medication and address mental health problems (pp. 6-7). Sagar and Grube (2018) indicate that additional empirically sound data is needed for people to make informed decisions about medical and recreational cannabis (pp. 11-12). Furthermore, policy-makers should develop age-appropriate guidelines to prevent or reduce adolescent exposure, and advertising of marijuana products should not target the younger generation (Sagar & Gruber, 2018, p. 9). The authors present diverse perspectives but signify that the matters regarding cannabis are controversial and require thorough consideration.
Conclusion
To summarize, despite many studies conducted on the impact of marijuana, the scientific community, alongside the public, does not have a robust conclusion about the drug’s effects. Nonetheless, the most important things to consider about the topic of cannabis are specific groups who should be targeted as the main consumers and their needs. In particular, regardless of medical or recreational purposes, legalized marijuana should be restricted from usage by vulnerable youth and people with severe physical or mental health conditions. Accordingly, out of the mentioned above recommendations, the most critical appears to be the one concerning specific policies that would regulate the advertising of cannabis and guide society on how to use the drug. Such measures can prevent the younger generation from consuming the substance and endangering their brains and health. Given that the outcomes of marijuana vary per person, it may be better to utilize it in specified controlled dosages and prescribe it only when other alternatives do not help patients.
References
Chadi, N., Minato, C., & Stanwick, R. (2020). Cannabis vaping: Understanding the health risks of a rapidly emerging trend. Paediatrics & Child Health, 25, S16-S20. Web.
Dahlke, S., Hunter, K. F., Toubiana, M., Kalogirou, M. R., Scheuerman, M., & Butler, J. I. (2022). Study protocol: Cannabis in the closet? Older persons’ perceptions of stigma and their influence on use and access to medicinal cannabis. Social Science Protocols, 5(1), 1-11. Web.
Gupta, S., & Gupta, S. (2018). Medical marijuana: Do the benefits outweigh the risks. Current Psychiatry, 17(1), 34-41.
MacDougall, C., & Maston, M. (2021). Student perceptions of cannabis use. Journal of American College Health, 1-15. Web.
Memedovich, K. A., Dowsett, L. E., Spackman, E., Noseworthy, T., & Clement, F. (2018). The adverse health effects and harms related to marijuana use: An overview review. Canadian Medical Association Open Access Journal, 6(3), E339-E346.
Sagar, K. A., & Gruber, S. A. (2018). Marijuana matters: Reviewing the impact of marijuana on cognition, brain structure and function, & exploring policy implications and barriers to research. International Review of Psychiatry, 30(3), 1-17. Web.
Thompson, K., Leadbeater, B., Ames, M., & Merrin, G. J. (2018). Associations between marijuana use trajectories and educational and occupational success in young adulthood. Prevention Science, 20(2), 1-13. Web.
Wadsworth, E., Leos-Toro, C., & Hammond, D. (2019). Mental health and medical cannabis use among youth and young adults in Canada. Substance Use & Misuse, 55(4), 1-8. Web.