{"id":11366,"date":"2016-06-16T18:30:06","date_gmt":"2016-06-16T18:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/?p=11366"},"modified":"2017-09-21T11:01:46","modified_gmt":"2017-09-21T11:01:46","slug":"marijuana-use-detrimental-to-youth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/2016\/06\/marijuana-use-detrimental-to-youth\/","title":{"rendered":"Marijuana Use: Detrimental to Youth"},"content":{"rendered":"

Marijuana Use: Detrimental to Youth<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

ABSTRACT: Although increasing legalization of marijuana has contributed to the growing belief that marijuana is harmless, research documents the risks of its use by youth are grave. Marijuana is addicting, has adverse effects upon the adolescent brain, is a risk for both cardio-respiratory disease and testicular cancer, and is associated with both psychiatric illness and negative social outcomes. Evidence indicates limited legalization of marijuana has already raised rates of unintended marijuana exposure among young children, and may increase adolescent use. Therefore, the American College of Pediatricians supports legislation that continues to restrict the availability of marijuana except in the context of well controlled scientific studies which demonstrate medicinal benefit together with evidence-based guidelines for optimal routes of delivery and dosing for specific medical conditions.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Introduction<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Federal Law has prohibited the manufacture, sale, and distribution of marijuana for more than 70 years. However, with the discovery of potential medicinal properties of marijuana and the increasing misperception that the drug is harmless, there have arisen increased efforts to achieve its broad legalization despite persistent problems of abuse. Medical use of marijuana has prompted many states to establish programs for sale of medically-prescribed marijuana. As public perception of marijuana\u2019s safety has grown, some states have also passed voter-approved referenda legalizing recreational use of marijuana by adults. The result has been the same: limited legalization has led to greater availability of marijuana to youth.<\/span><\/p>\n

How is Marijuana Used?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Whether used licitly or illicitly, marijuana is smoked or ingested. It may be smoked in hand-rolled cigarettes (joints), pipes or water pipes (bongs), and cigars that have been refilled with a mixture of marijuana and tobacco (blunts). Marijuana emits a distinctive pungent usually sweet-and-sour odour when it is smoked. Marijuana is not so easily detectable, however, when ingested in candy, other foods or as a tea.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Has Legalization Escalated Youth Exposure to Marijuana?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

There is evidence legalization of marijuana limited to medical dispensaries and\/or adult recreational use has led to increased unintended exposure to marijuana among young children. By 2011, rates of poison center calls for accidental paediatric marijuana ingestion more than tripled in states that decriminalized marijuana before 2005. In states which passed legislation between 2005 and 2011 call rates increased nearly 11.5% per year. There was no similar increase in states that had not decriminalized marijuana as of December 31, 2011. Additionally, exposures in decriminalized states where marijuana use was legalized were more likely than those in non-legal states to present with moderate to severe symptoms requiring admission to a paediatric intensive care unit. The median age of children involved was 18-24 months.1<\/span><\/p>\n

Marijuana use by adolescents has grown steadily as more states enact various decriminalization laws.2\u00a0According to CDC data, more teens now smoke marijuana than cigarettes.3\u00a0It is unclear, however, whether this trend indicates a causal relationship or mere correlation. There is some evidence legalization may encourage more youth to experiment with the drug. A national study of 6116 high school seniors, prior to legalization of recreational use in any state, found 10% of nonusers said they would try marijuana if the drug were legal in their state. Significantly, this included large subgroups of students normally at low risk for drug experimentation, including non-cigarette smokers, those with strong religious affiliation, and those with peers who frown upon drug use. Among high school seniors already using marijuana, 18% said they would use more under legalization.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is also evidence of medical marijuana diversion having a significant impact upon adolescents. For example, researchers in Colorado found that approximately 74% of adolescents in substance abuse treatment had used someone else\u2019s medical marijuana. After adjusting for sex, race and ethnicity, those who used medical marijuana had an earlier age of regular marijuana use, and more marijuana abuse and dependence symptoms than those who did not use medical marijuana.4-5\u00a0Conclusions from this study may not apply to adolescents as a whole due to the select population surveyed. There are broader adolescent population studies suggesting no significant increase in use due to enactment of medical marijuana laws.6-10\u00a0These authors, however, caution that their results may not be definitive for five reasons: not all states with medical marijuana laws are represented in the various studies; the studies rely upon survey data from a voluntary survey (the Youth Risk Behavior Survey) which has the potential for reporting bias; there are gaps in the annual youth risk behavior data; the primary outcome measure was obtained from a single survey item; and the research is not long-term relative to when medical marijuana laws were implemented. Consequently, while all reported their data did not find medical marijuana laws to significantly increase teen use, they also advised continued long-term observation and research.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is Marijuana Medicine?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

A recent article in the\u00a0Journal of the American Medical Association<\/a><\/u>\u00a0noted there is very little scientific evidence to support the use of medical marijuana. Authors Samuel Wilkinson and Deepak D\u2019Souza explain that medical marijuana is considerably different from all other prescription medications in that \u201cevidence supporting its efficacy varies substantially and in general falls short of the standards required for approval of other drugs by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).\u201d11\u00a0The FDA requires carefully conducted studies consisting of hundreds to thousands of patients in order to accurately assess the benefits and risks of a potential medication.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although some studies suggest marijuana may palliate chemotherapy-induced vomiting, cachexia in HIV\/AIDS patients, spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis, and neuropathic pain, there is no significant evidence marijuana is superior to FDA approved medications currently available to treat these conditions. Additionally, support for use of marijuana in other conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, Crohn\u2019s disease and Alzheimer\u2019s, is not scientific, relying on emotion-laden anecdotes instead of adequately powered, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials.11<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, to be considered a legitimate medicine, a substance must have well-defined and measurable ingredients that are consistent from one unit (such as a pill or injection) to the next. This consistency allows researchers to determine optimal dosing and frequency. Drs. Samuel Wilkinson and Deepak D\u2019Souza state:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPrescription drugs are produced according to exacting standards to ensure uniformity and purity of active constituents \u2026 Because regulatory standards of the production process vary by state, the composition, purity, and concentration of the active constituents of marijuana are also likely to vary. This is especially problematic because unlike most other prescription medications that are single active compounds, marijuana contains more than 100 cannabinoids, terpenoids, and flavonoids that produce individual, interactive, and entourage effects.\u201d<\/b><\/i>11<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0As a consequence, there are no dosing guidelines for marijuana for any of the conditions it has been approved to treat. And finally, there is no scientific evidence that the potential healthful effects of marijuana outweigh its documented adverse effects.11\u00a0Sound ethics demands that physicians \u201cFirst do no harm.\u201d This is why a dozen national health organizations, including the College, presently oppose further legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes.12\u00a0If and when rigorous research delineates marijuana\u2019s true benefits relative to its hazards, compares its efficacy with current medications on the market, determines its optimal routes of delivery and dosing, and standardizes its production and dispensing (to match that of schedule II medications like narcotics and opioids), then medical opposition will dissipate.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Extent of Marijuana Abuse<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

In the United States, marijuana is the most frequently used illicit drug,13-14\u00a0with 23.9 million of those at least 12 years old having used an illegal drug within the past month in 2012.15\u00a0The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)-funded 2013\u00a0Monitoring the Future\u00a0<\/i>study of the year 2012 showed that 12.7 percent of 8th graders, 29.8 percent of 10th graders, and 36.4 percent of 12th graders had used marijuana at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. They also found that 7, 18 and 22.7 percent respectively for these groups used marijuana in the past month.13<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/span> Figure 1. Long-Term Trends in Annual Marijuana Use by Grade14<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

After a period of decline in the last decade, marijuana use has generally increased among young people since 2007, corresponding with both its increased availability through limited legalization and a diminishing perception of the drug\u2019s risks. The number of current (past month) users aged 12 and up increased from 14.5 to 18.9 million.15<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2010, 7.3 percent of all persons admitted to publicly funded treatment facilities were aged 12-17. Marijuana is the leading illicit substance mentioned in adolescent emergency department admissions and autopsy reports, and is considered one of the major contributing factors leading to violent deaths and accidents among adolescents.16<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/span> Figure 2.\u00a0 Emergency Department Visits by Type of Substance Abuse16<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Such data indicate that marijuana use in adolescents is a major and growing problem. Given the widespread availability and abuse of marijuana, and its increasing decriminalization, it is important to examine the adverse clinical consequences of marijuana use.<\/span><\/p>\n

Marijuana and Addiction<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Marijuana is addictive. While approximately 9 percent of users overall become addicted to marijuana, about 17 percent of those who start during adolescence and 25-50 percent of daily users become addicted. Thus, many of the nearly 6.5 percent of high school seniors who report smoking marijuana daily or almost daily are well on their way to addiction, if not already addicted.13\u00a0In fact, between 70-72% of 12-17 year olds who enter drug treatment programs, do so primarily because of marijuana addiction.18,13<\/span><\/p>\n

Long-term marijuana users trying to quit report various withdrawal symptoms including irritability, sleeplessness, decreased appetite, anxiety, and drug craving, all of which can make it difficult to remain abstinent.\u00a0 These withdrawal symptoms can begin within the first 24 hours following cessation, peak at two to three days, and subside within one or two weeks follow drug cessation. Behavioral interventions, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational incentives (i.e., providing vouchers for goods or services to patients who remain abstinent) have proven to be effective in treating marijuana addiction.19\u00a0Although no medications are currently available, recent discoveries about the workings of the endocannabinoid system offer promise for the development of medications to ease withdrawal, block the intoxicating effects of marijuana, and prevent relapse.20<\/span><\/p>\n

Is Marijuana a Gateway Leading to the Abuse of Other Illicit Drugs?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

An additional danger associated with marijuana use observed in adolescents is a sequential pattern of involvement in other legal and illegal drugs. Marijuana is frequently a stepping stone that bridges the gap between cigarette and alcohol use and the use of other more powerful and dangerous substances like cocaine and heroin. This stage-like progression of substance abuse, known as the gateway phenomenon, is common among youth from all socioeconomic and racial backgrounds.19, 21\u00a0Additionally, marijuana is often intentionally used with other substances, including alcohol or crack cocaine, to magnify its effects. Phencyclidine (PCP), formaldehyde, crack cocaine, and codeine cough syrup are also often mixed with marijuana without the user\u2019s knowledge.21<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other Effects of Marijuana on the Brain<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The main active chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). When marijuana is smoked, THC rapidly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream, which carries the chemical to the brain and other organs throughout the body. It is absorbed more slowly when ingested in food or drink.13\u00a0In all cases, however, THC acts upon specific molecular targets on brain cells, called cannabinoid receptors. These receptors are ordinarily activated by chemicals similar to THC called endocannabinoids, such as anandamide. These receptors are naturally occurring in the body and are part of a neural communication network (the endocannabinoid system) that plays an important role in normal brain development and function. The highest density of cannabinoid receptors is found in parts of the brain that influence pleasure, memory, thinking, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement. Marijuana over activates the endocannabinoid system, causing the high and other effects that users experience. These effects include distorted perceptions, psychotic symptoms, difficulty with thinking and problem solving, disrupted learning and memory, and impaired reaction time, attention span, judgment, balance and coordination.21\u00a0Chronic exposure to THC may also hasten the age-related loss of nerve cells.22<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Numerous mechanisms have been postulated to link cannabis use, attentional deficits, psychotic symptoms, and neural desynchronization.23\u00a0The hippocampus, a component of the brain\u2019s limbic system, is necessary for memory, learning, and integrating sensory experiences with emotions and motivations. THC suppresses neurons in the information-processing system of the hippocampus, thus learned behaviors, dependent on the hippocampus, also deteriorate.24\u00a0Brain MRI studies now report that in young recreational marijuana users, structural abnormalities in gray matter density, volume, and shape occur in areas of the brain associated with drug craving and dependence. There also was significant abnormality measures associated with increasing drug use behavior. In addition to the regions of the nucleus accumbens and amygdala, the whole-brain gray matter density analysis revealed other brain regions that showed reduced density in marijuana users compared with control participants, including several regions in the prefrontal cortex: right\/left frontal pole, right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and right middle frontal gyrus (although another small region in the right middle frontal gyrus showed higher gray matter density in marijuana users). Countless studies have also shown that prefrontal cortex dysfunction is involved with decision-making abnormalities and functional MRI and magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies have shown that cannabis use may affect the function of this region.25\u00a0Brain imaging with MRI was used to map areas of working memory in the brain and showed similar findings in normal and schizophrenic subjects who did not use marijuana, but decreases in the size of the working memory areas of the striatum and thalamus for those who had a history of cannabis use, that was more marked in those who used marijuana at a younger age and in users with schizophrenia.26<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0In chronic adolescent users, marijuana\u2019s adverse impact on learning and memory persists long after the acute effects of the drug wear off. A major study published in 2012 in\u00a0Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences<\/i>\u00a0provides objective evidence that marijuana is harmful to the adolescent brain. As part of this large-scale study of health and development, researchers in New Zealand administered IQ tests to over 1,000 individuals at age 13 (born in 1972 and 1973) and assessed their patterns of cannabis use at several points as they aged. Participants were again IQ tested at age 38, and their two scores were compared as a function of their marijuana use.<\/span><\/p>\n

The results were striking: Participants who used cannabis heavily in their teens and continued through adulthood showed a significant drop in IQ between the ages of 13 and 38\u2014an average of eight points for those who met criteria for cannabis dependence. Those who started using marijuana regularly or heavily after age 18 showed minor declines. By comparison, those who never used marijuana showed no declines in IQ.27\u00a0This is the first prospective study to test young people\u00a0before<\/i>\u00a0their first use of marijuana and again\u00a0after<\/i>\u00a0long-term use (as much as 20+ years later) thereby ruling out a pre-existing difference in IQ. This means the finding of a significant mental decline among those who used marijuana heavily before age 18, even after they quit taking the drug, is consistent with the theory that drug use during adolescence\u2014when the brain is still rewiring, pruning, and organizing itself\u2014has long-lasting negative effects on the brain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other studies have also shown a link between prolonged marijuana use and cognitive or neural impairment. A recent report in\u00a0Brain<\/i>, for example, reveals neural-connectivity impairment in some brain regions following prolonged cannabis use initiated in adolescence or young adulthood.28<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Effects on Activities of Daily Living<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Consistent with marijuana\u2019s impact upon the brain, research demonstrates marijuana has the potential to cause difficulties in daily life and\/or worsen a person\u2019s existing problems. Heavy marijuana users generally report lower life satisfaction, reduced mental and physical health, more relationship problems, and less academic and career success compared to their peers who come from similar backgrounds. Marijuana use is also associated with a higher likelihood of dropping out of school, workplace tardiness and absence, more accidents on the job with concomitant workman compensation claims, and increased job turnover.29-30<\/span><\/p>\n

A 2014 study combined the data of 3 investigations from Australia and New Zealand which compared a series of outcome measures of young adults according to their marijuana use at age 17. The researchers found a significant dose-response effect for each of these.\u00a0\u00a0After adjusting for co-variables, compared to those who never used cannabis prior to age 17 (OR 1.0), the odds of graduating from high school by age 25 dropped to 0.78 (95% CI,0.67-0.90) for those who used cannabis less than monthly to 0.61 (95% CI,0.45-0.81) for those using it monthly or more to 0.47 (95% CI,0.30-0.73) for those using it weekly or more to 0.37 (95% CI,0.20-0.66) for daily users.\u00a0\u00a0The decrease in attaining a university degree was almost identical.\u00a0\u00a0The odds of dependence on cannabis between the ages of 17 and 25 rose progressively from 2.06 (95% CI,1.75-2.42) for less than monthly users to 17.95 (95% CI,9.44-34.12) for daily users, and the odds of other illicit drug use between the ages of 23-25 rose from 1.67 (95% CI,1.45-1.92) for less than monthly users to 7.80 (95% CI,4.46-13.63) for those who were daily users prior to age 17.\u00a0\u00a0The odds of a making a suicide attempt between the ages of 17 and 25 were increased from 1.62 (95% CI,1.19-2.19) for less than monthly users to 6.83 (95% CI,2.04-22.9) for daily users.\u00a0\u00a0While unadjusted odds ratios were progressively higher for progressively higher amounts of cannabis used before age 17 for both depression (between ages 17-25) and for welfare dependence (at ages 27-30 depending on the study), these differences were no longer significant after adjusting for co-variables.31Although the greatest harm was among heavier users, it is most concerning that even less than monthly usage prior to age 17 was associated with a significantly lower educational achievement, and significantly higher rates of drug dependence and suicide attempts.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Marijuana and Mental Illness<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/span> Figure 3.\u00a0 Mood and Anxiety Disorders Among Users and Non-Users of Marijuana32<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/span>A number of studies have shown an association between chronic marijuana use and mental illness. People who are\u00a0dependent<\/i>\u00a0on marijuana frequently have other comorbid mental disorders including but not limited to anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and personality disturbances, including amotivation and failure to engage in activities that are typically rewarding (see figure 3).13\u00a0Marijuana use is associated with a 7-fold increased risk of depression (OR 7.10, 95% CI,4.39-11.73) and a 5-fold increased risk of suicidal ideation (OR 5.38, 95% CI,3.31-8.73) when used alone, and with a 9-fold increased risk of depression (OR 9.15, 95% CI,4.58-18.29) and nearly 9 fold increased risk of suicidal ideation when marijuana plus other drugs are involved (OR 8.74, 95% CI 4.29-17.79).17\u00a0Daily marijuana use in young women has been associated with a five-fold increase in depression and anxiety.33<\/span><\/p>\n

Population studies also reveal an association between cannabis use and increased risk of schizophrenia. In the short term, high doses of marijuana can produce a temporary psychotic reaction involving hallucinations and paranoia. There is also sufficient data indicating that chronic marijuana use may trigger the onset or relapse of schizophrenia in people predisposed to it, perhaps also intensifying their symptoms .13,34,32A series of large prospective studies showed a link between marijuana use and the later development of psychosis with genetic variables, the amount of drug used, and the younger the age at which use began increasing the risk of occurrence.13\u00a0Although it is possible that pre-existing mental illness may lead some individuals to self-medicate with (abuse) marijuana and other illicit drugs, further prospective studies similar to those examining psychosis, will more firmly establish marijuana as a causative factor for other forms of mental illness.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Marijuana and Driving<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Marijuana contributes to accidents while driving due to its significant impairment of judgment and motor coordination. Data from several studies was analyzed and documented that use of marijuana more than doubles a driver\u2019s risk of involvement in an accident.13\u00a0Because they impede different driving functions, the combination of even low levels of marijuana and alcohol is worse than either substance alone.35\u00a0Studies have shown a statistically significant increase in non-alcohol drugs detected in fatally injured drivers in the past decade. The most commonly detected non-alcohol drug was cannabinol, the prevalence of which increased from 4.2% in 1999 to 12.2% in 2010 (Z = -13.63, P < 0.0001). \u00a0The increase in the prevalence of non-alcohol drugs was observed in all age groups and in both sexes. In this study, increases in the prevalence of narcotics and cannabinol detected in fatally injured drivers were particularly apparent.36<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Other Health Effects of Marijuana<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Since marijuana contains many of the same compounds as tobacco, it has the same adverse effects on the respiratory system when smoked as tobacco. These include chronic cough, respiratory infections, and bronchitis.19\u00a0In the longer term emphysema and lung cancer are also among its effects.21In fact, smoking marijuana is more harmful than tobacco for two reasons: first, because it contains more tar and carcinogens than tobacco, and secondly, because marijuana smokers tend to inhale more deeply and for a longer period of time as compared to tobacco smokers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Marijuana use also has a variety of adverse, short- and long-term effects, especially on the cardiopulmonary system. Marijuana raises the heart rate by 20-100 percent shortly after smoking; this effect can last up to three hours. In one study, it was estimated that marijuana users had a 4.8-fold increase in the risk of heart attack in the first hour after smoking the drug. This elevated risk may be due to increased heart rate as well as the effects of marijuana on heart rhythms, causing palpitations and arrhythmias. This risk may be greater in older individuals or in those with cardiac vulnerabilities. Marijuana use has been found to increase blood pressure and heart rate and to decrease the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.37<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Chronic smoking of marijuana and its active chemical THC has consistently been shown to increase the risk of developing testicular cancer, in particular a more aggressive form of the disease. One study compared 369 Seattle-area men aged 18-44 with testicular cancer, to 979 men in the same age bracket without the disease. The researchers found that current marijuana users were 1.7 times more likely to develop testicular cancer than nonusers, and that the younger the age of initiation (below 18) and the heavier the use, the greater the risk of developing testicular cancer.38,39,40\u00a0A similar study of 455 men in Los Angeles found that men with testicular germ cell tumors were twice as likely to have used marijuana as men without these tumors.41\u00a0THC can also cause endocrine disruption resulting in gynecomastia, decreased sperm count, and impotence.42<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Effects of prenatal exposure to marijuana<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The risk of using marijuana during pregnancy is unrecognized by the general public, but infants and children exposed prenatally to marijuana have a higher incidence of neurobehavioral problems. THC and other compounds in marijuana mimic the human brain\u2019s cannabinoid-like chemicals, thus prenatal marijuana exposure may alter the developing endocannabinoid system in the fetal brain, which may result in attention deficit, difficulty with problem solving, and poorer memory.13\u00a0Evidence especially suggests an association between prenatal marijuana exposure and impaired executive functioning skills beyond the age of three. Specifically, children with a history of exposure are found to have an increased rate of impulsivity, attention deficits, and difficulty solving problems requiring the integration and manipulation of basic visuoperceptual skills.43<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rising Potency and Contaminants<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The potency of marijuana has been increasing for decades, with THC concentrations rising from 4% in the 1980s to 14.5% in 2012 in samples confiscated by police.\u00a0 Some strains now contain as much as 30% THC.19\u00a0For a new user, this may mean exposure to higher concentrations of THC, with a greater chance of an adverse or unpredictable reaction. Increases in potency may account for the rise in emergency department visits involving marijuana use. For experienced users, it may mean a greater risk for addiction if they are exposing themselves to high doses on a regular basis. However, the full range of consequences associated with marijuana\u2019s higher potency is not well understood, nor is it known whether experienced marijuana users adjust for the increase in potency by using less. Since the legalization in Colorado, one certified lab there has reported that much of the marijuana they have studied and tested has been found to be laced with heavy metals, pesticides, fungus and bacteria.44<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Health Risks Underestimated<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Health risks associated with marijuana use are often underestimated by adolescents, their parents, and health professionals. As explained above, there are newer, stronger forms of marijuana available than that which existed in 1960; current forms of marijuana are known to be three to five times more potent. Parents underestimate the availability of marijuana to teens, the extent of their use of the drug, and the risks associated with its use. In a 1995 survey, the Hazelden Foundation found that only 40 percent of parents advised their teenagers not to use marijuana, 20 percent emphasized its illegal status, and 19 percent communicated to their teenagers that it is addictive.45<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Parental Monitoring Important<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Research shows that appropriate parental monitoring can reduce drug use, even among those adolescents who may be prone to marijuana use, such as those with conduct, anxiety, or affective mood disorders.45<\/span><\/p>\n

Columbia University\u2019s National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) found that adolescents were much less likely to use marijuana if their parents stated their disapproval. \u201cParents who do not want their kids getting drunk and using drugs should begin by sending a strong message to their kids about the importance of avoiding alcohol. Our survey results this year show how important it is for teens to get a clear anti-use message from their parents, especially from Dad. Teens who get drunk monthly are 18 times more likely to report marijuana use than teens who do not drink; those who believe their father is okay with them drinking are two and a half times more likely to get drunk in a typical month. \u00a0Therefore, parents who do not want their kids getting drunk and using drugs should begin by sending a strong message to their children about the importance of avoiding alcohol.\u201d45<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2011, past month use of illicit drugs, cigarettes, and binge alcohol use were lower among youth aged 12 to 17 who reported that their parents always or sometimes engaged in monitoring behaviors compared to youths whose parents seldom or never engaged in monitoring behaviors. The rate of past month use of any illicit drug was 8.2 percent for youths whose parents always or sometimes helped with homework compared with 18.7 percent among youth who indicated that their parents seldom or never helped.<\/span><\/p>\n

Columbia Center for Alcohol and Substance Abuse found that teens who have frequent family dinners (five to seven per week) were less likely to have used marijuana.<\/b>46<\/span><\/p>\n

Compared to teens who had infrequent family dinners (2 or fewer per week), teens who had frequent family dinners were almost 1.5 times likelier to have said they had an excellent relationship with their mother and their father. The report also found that compared to teens who said they had an excellent relationship with their fathers, teens that had a less than very good relationship with their father were:<\/span><\/p>\n

o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Almost 4 times likelier to have used marijuana<\/span><\/p>\n

o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Twice as likely to have used alcohol<\/span><\/p>\n

o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a02.5 times as likely to have used tobacco<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Compared to teens who said they had an excellent relationship with their mothers, teens who had a less than very good relationship with their mother were:<\/span><\/p>\n

o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Almost 3 times likelier to have used marijuana<\/span><\/p>\n

o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a02.5 times as likely to have used alcohol<\/span><\/p>\n

o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a02.5 times likelier to have used tobacco<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Consequently, the College encourages parents to take advantage of the \u201cfamily table,\u201d and to become involved in drug abuse prevention programs in the community or in the child\u2019s school in order to minimize the risk of their children experimenting with drug use.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Conclusion<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

In summary, marijuana use is harmful to children and adolescents.\u00a0 For this reason, the American College of Pediatricians opposes its legalization for recreational use and urges extreme caution in legalizing it for medicinal use.\u00a0 Likewise, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) recently offered their own policy statement opposing efforts to legalize marijuana. They similarly pointed out that \u201cmarijuana\u2019s deleterious effects on adolescent brain development, cognition, and social functioning may have immediate and long-term implications, including increased risk of motor vehicle accidents, sexual victimization, academic failure, lasting decline in intelligence measures, psychopathology, addiction, and psychosocial and occupational impairment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Thus the AACAP (a) opposes efforts to legalize marijuana, (b) supports initiatives to increase awareness of marijuana\u2019s harmful effects on adolescents, (c) supports improved access to evidence-based treatment, rather than emphasis on criminal charges, for adolescents with cannabis use disorder, and (d) supports careful monitoring of the effects of marijuana-related policy changes on child and adolescent mental health.47 \u00a0The College agrees with this position on marijuana.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The College urges parents to do all they can to oppose the legalization of marijuana, such as working with elected officials against the drug\u2019s legalization and scrutinizing a candidate\u2019s positions on this important children\u2019s issue when making voting decisions. The College encourages legislators to consider the establishment and generous funding of more facilities to treat marijuana addiction. Children look to their parents for help and guidance in working out problems and in making decisions, including the decision to not use drugs. Therefore, parents should be role models, and not use marijuana or other illicit drugs. Finally, these reports strikingly emphasize the need for parents to recognize and discuss these serious health consequences of marijuana use with their children and adolescents. They also point to the requirement for medical experts and legislators to seriously discuss and review these observations prior to promoting any state or federal effort considering legalization.<\/span><\/p>\n

For more information on this topic, the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) offers an extensive collection of publications, videotapes, and educational materials to help parents talk to their children about drug use. For more information on marijuana and other drugs, contact: National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, P. O. Box 2345, Rockville, MD 20847; 1-800-729-6686. Additional helpful information is provided at the following websites: www.drugabuse.gov, www.marijuana-info.org, and www.teens.drugabuse.gov.<\/span><\/p>\n

Primary Author: Donald Hagler, MD, FCP<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Original: January 2007<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Revised\u00a0March 2015<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Revised September 2015<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

ADDENDUM added September 2015:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/a><\/u>The Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado: The Impact\u201d48<\/u><\/a>\u00a0is a compilation of data by the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area that analyzes the effects of marijuana legalization in the state. This third volume allows readers to compare and contrast statistics observed from 2006 \u2013 2009 during Colorado\u2019s early medical marijuana era with those from 2009 to 2013 as medical marijuana commercialization grew, and also with those from the current legalized recreational marijuana era from 2013 to the present. The statistics reveal that between 2013 and 2014 there was a 45% increase in marijuana-associated impaired driving, a 32% increase in marijuana-related motor vehicle deaths (with a 92% increase from 2010 to 2014), as well as 29% and 38% increases in emergency room visits and hospital admissions secondary to marijuana use. By 2013,\u00a0marijuana use in Colorado was 55% above the national average among teens and young adults<\/b>, and 86% higher among those over age 25. Diversion of marijuana from Colorado to other states has also increased several fold. This new data further supports the College Position Statement above emphasizing concerns that marijuana legalization will result in increased adolescent usage, addiction and its associated risks for them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0A downloadable\u00a0web source for parents can be found at this link,\u00a0<\/b>Marijuana Talk Kit<\/a><\/b><\/u>, from Partnership for Drug-free Kids.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The American College of Pediatricians is a national medical association of licensed physicians and healthcare professionals who specialize in the care of infants, children, and adolescents. The mission of the College is to enable all children to reach their optimal physical and emotional health and well-being.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

A PDF copy of this statement is available here:\u00a0Marijuana Use Detrimental to Youth<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Source:\u00a0http:\/\/www.acpeds.org\/marijuana-use-detrimental-to-youth<\/u><\/a>\u00a0 Sept.2015<\/span><\/p>\n

References<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

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2. Cerda M, Wall M, Keyes KM, Galea S, Hasin D.\u00a0 \u201cMedical marijuana laws in 50 states: investigating the relationship between state legalization of medical marijuana and marijuana use, abuse and dependence\u201d\u00a0Drug Alcohol Depend<\/i>. 2012 Jan 1;120(1-3):22-7.<\/span><\/p>\n

3.Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance \u2013 United States, 2011.\u00a0Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (<\/i>MMWR<\/b><\/i>)<\/i>\/Jun 8, 2012\/ Vol. 61\/No.4.http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mmwr\/pdf\/ss\/ss6104.pdf<\/a><\/u>. Accessed September 6, 2014.<\/span><\/p>\n

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4. Palamar JJ, Omapad DC, and Petkova E, \u201cCorrelates of Intentions to Use Cannabis Among U.S. High School Seniors in the Case of Cannabis Legalization,\u201dInternational Journal of Drug Policy<\/i>. 2014 May;25(3):424-35.<\/span><\/p>\n

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5. Salomonsen-Sautel S, Sakai J, Thurston C, et. al. \u201cMedical Marijuana Use Among Adolescents in Substance Abuse Treatment.\u201d\u00a0J Am Acad Child Adolescent Psychiatry<\/i>. July 2012; 51(7):694-702.<\/span><\/p>\n

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6. Anderson DM, Hansen B, Rees DI. \u201cMedical Marijuana Laws and Teen Marijuana Use\u201d A working paper IZA DP No. 6592 May 2012 (Accessed September 6, 2014 from:\u00a0http:\/\/ftp.iza.org\/dp6592.pdf<\/a><\/u>)<\/span><\/p>\n

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7. Harper S, Strumpf E, and Kaufman J. \u201cDo Medical Marijuana Laws Increase Marijuana Use? Replication Study and Extension.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Annals of Epidemiology<\/i>. 2012;22:207\u2013212.\u00a0http:\/\/www.medicine.mcgill.ca\/epidemiology\/harper\/web\/papers_files\/Harper-Ann%20Epidemiol-2012.pdf<\/a><\/u>. Accessed September 6, 2014.<\/span><\/p>\n

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8. Lynne-Landsman SD, Livingston MD, and Wagenaar AC.\u00a0 Effects of State Medical Marijuana Laws on Adolescent Marijuana Use.\u00a0American Journal of Public Health<\/i>: August 2013, Vol. 103, No. 8, pp. 1500-1506.<\/span><\/p>\n

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9. Choo EK, Benz M, Zaller N, Warren O, Rising KL, McConnell KJ.\u00a0TheImpact of State Medical Marijuana Legislation on Adolescent Marijuana Use.\u00a0Journal of Adolescent Health<\/i>, 2014.<\/span><\/p>\n

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10. Wall M.,\u00a0et.al. \u201cCommentary on\u00a0Harper S, Strumpf EC, Kaufman JS. Do Medical Marijuana Laws Increase Marijuana Use? Replication Study and Extension\u201d Annals of Epidemiology. July 2012;22(7): 536-537.<\/span><\/p>\n

11. Wilkinson ST, and D\u2019Souza DC. \u201cProblems with the Medicalization of Marijuana\u201d\u00a0JAMA<\/i>\u00a0Vol. 311 No. 23 p. 2377 (June 18, 2014).<\/span><\/p>\n

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12.\u00a0The American Medical Association, American Society of Addiction Medicine, National Institute on Drug Abuse of the NIH, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, American Cancer Society, and the Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association.<\/span><\/p>\n

13. Drug Facts. National Institute on Drug Abuse.\u00a0www.drugabuse.gov\/drugs-abuse\/marijuana<\/a><\/u>. Published December 2012<\/u><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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14. What is the Scope of Marijuana Use in the United States? National Institute on Drug Abuse.\u00a0http:\/\/www.drugabuse.gov\/publications\/research-reports\/marijuana\/what-scope-marijuana-use-in-united-states<\/a><\/u>. Published July 2012.<\/span><\/p>\n

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15.National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration.http:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/data\/NSDUH\/2012SummNatFindDetTables\/NationalFindings\/NSDUHresults2012.htm#ch2.13<\/a><\/u>Published\u00a02014<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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16. National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality.\u00a0http:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/data\/2K13\/CBHSQ128\/sr128-typical-day-adolescents-2013.htm<\/a><\/u>. Published\u00a02013.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

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18. Hall W, Degenhardt L. Adverse health effects of non-medical cannabis use.Lancet<\/i>. 2009 Oct 17;374(9698):1383-91.<\/span><\/p>\n

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19.\u00a0Want to know more? Some FAQs about marijuana. National Institute on Drug Abuse. http:\/\/www.drugabuse.gov\/publications\/marijuana-facts-parents-need-to-know\/want-to-know-more-some-faqs-about-marijuana<\/a><\/u>. Updated March 2014. Accessed July 10, 2012.<\/span><\/p>\n

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20. Available treatments for marijuana use disorders. National Institute on Drug Abuse.\u00a0http:\/\/www.drugabuse.gov\/publications\/research-reports\/marijuana\/available-treatments-marijuana-use-disorders<\/a><\/u>. Updated March 2014.<\/span><\/p>\n

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22. How Does Marijuana Affect Your Brain and Body? National Institute on Drug Abuse.\u00a0http:\/\/www.drugabuse.gov\/publications\/research-reports\/marijuana\/how-does-marijuana-use-affect-your-brain-body<\/a><\/u>. Accessed September 23, 2014.\u00a0Brain<\/i>. 2012 Jul;135(7):2245-55. Accessed June 4, 2012.\u00a0http:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed?term=effect of long-term cannabis use and zalesky.<\/span><\/p>\n

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27. Meier MH, Caspi A, Harrington H, et al. Persistent cannabis users show neuropsychological decline from childhood to midlife.\u00a0ProcNatlAcadScie<\/i>\u00a02012 Oct 2;109(40):E2657-64.Available at\u00a0http:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed?term=persistent%20cannabis%20users%20and%20meier<\/a><\/u>. Accessed on August 27, 2012.<\/span><\/p>\n

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29. How does marijuana use affect school, work, and social life? National Institute of Drug Abuse. http:\/\/www.drugabuse.gov\/publications\/research-reports\/marijuana\/how-does-marijuana-use-affect-school-work-social-life. Published July 2012.<\/span><\/p>\n

30. Polen, MR, Sidney, S, Tekawa, IS, Sadler, M, Friedman, GD. Health care use by frequent marijuana smokers who do not smoke tobacco.\u00a0West J Med<\/i>. 1993;158(6):596\u2013601.<\/span><\/p>\n

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31. Silins E, Horwood LJ, Patton GC, Ferguson DM, Olsson CM, Hutchinson DM, et.al. Young adult sequelae of adolescent cannabis use: an integrative analysis\u00a0The Lancet Psychiatry<\/i>, Volume 1, Issue 4, Pages 286 \u2013 293, September 2014\u00a0http:\/\/www.thelancet.com\/journals\/lancet\/article\/PIIS2215036614703074\/table?tableid=tbl2&tableidtype=t<\/a><\/u>able_id&sectionType=red.<\/span><\/p>\n

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44. Smithsonian.com, Modern Marijuana is Often Laced with Heavy Metals and Fungus. Published March 2015.\u00a0http:\/\/www.smithsonianmag.com\/science-nature\/modern-marijuana-more-potent-often-laced-heavy-metals-and-fungus-180954696\/?no-ist<\/a><\/u>. Accessed March 26, 2015.<\/span><\/p>\n

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45. National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse XIV: Teens and Parents. Columbia Center for Alcohol & Substance Abuse. http:\/\/www.casacolumbia.org\/addiction-research\/reports\/national-survey-american-attitudes-substance-abuse-teens-2012. Published 2012.<\/span><\/p>\n

46. The Importance of Family Dinners VII. Columbia Center for Alcohol & Substance Abuse. http:\/\/www.casacolumbia.org\/upload\/2011\/2011922familydinnersVII.pdf. Published September 2011. Accessed January 29, 2013.<\/span><\/p>\n

47. AACAP Marijuana Legalization Policy Statement. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. https:\/\/www.aacap.org\/AACAP\/Policy_Statements\/2014\/aacap_marijuana_legalization_policy.aspx. Published April 15, 2014.<\/span><\/p>\n

48. \u00a0 The Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado: The Impact. http:\/\/www.rmhidta.org\/html\/2015%20PREVIEW%20Legalization%20of%20MJ%20in%20Colorado%20the%20Impact.pdf. Accessed 9\/22\/15.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Marijuana Use: Detrimental to Youth ABSTRACT: Although increasing legalization of marijuana has contributed to the growing belief that marijuana is harmless, research documents the risks of its use by youth are grave. Marijuana is addicting, has adverse effects upon the adolescent brain, is a risk for both cardio-respiratory disease and testicular cancer, and is associated […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,41,90,78,27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11366","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cannabis-marijuana","category-drug-use-effects-on-foetus","category-global-drug-legalisation-efforts","category-medicine-and-marijuana","category-social-affairs-papers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11366","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11366"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11366\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11366"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11366"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drugprevent.org.uk\/ppp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11366"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}