The Short and Long Term Effects of the Use of Marijuana
Usage of marijuana, mary jane, gas, devil’s lettuce, wacky tobacky, blaze, bud, nug, dope, herb, pot broccoli, or most commonly known as weed was used for ages Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC is the chemical in the cannabis plant that has the psychoactive effects on the user that makes them feel the buzz that 94 million people in the United States alone have experienced, according to thedrugfreeworld.org. Marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug in the US. This cannabinoid has several side effects; some of these include effects on the developing brain, mental side effects, short term effects, physical side effects, long term effects, and the effects of edibles.
Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States by teens as well as adults. When marijuana use begins in the teen years, it can have a significant impact on brain development, including decreased brain activity, fewer neural fibers in certain areas and a smaller than average hippocampus, which controls learning and memory functions. Those who started using marijuana after 21 generally do not experience the same type of brain abnormalities as those who started using the drug earlier. 38% of high school students report having used marijuana in their life according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 45% of twelfth graders have admitted to using marijuana in their lifetime, whereas 5.9% have said they use it daily. Research shows that marijuana use can have permanent effects on the developing brain when use begins in adolescence, especially with heavy use. Frequent or long-term marijuana use is linked to school dropout and lower educational achievement. Some negative effects include difficulty thinking and problem solving, problems with memory and learning, impaired coordination, and difficulty maintaining attention. Students who smoke marijuana may get lower grades and may more likely to dropout of high school than their peers who do not use. Marijuana use has been linked to a range of mental health problems in teens such as depression or anxiety.Psychosis has also been seen in teens at higher risk like those with a family history. Research shows that about one in six teens who repeatedly use marijuana can become addicted, which means that they may make unsuccessful efforts to quit using marijuana or may give up important activities with friends and family in favor of using marijuana. Research suggests that people who use marijuana regularly for a long time are less satisfied with their lives and have more problems with friends and family compared to people who do not use marijuana. Those who use are more likely to use other illegal drugs. It isn’t clear why some people go on to try other drugs, but researchers have a few theories. The human brain continues to develop into the early 20s. Exposure to addictive substances, including marijuana, may cause changes to the developing brain that make other drugs more appealing. In addition, someone who uses marijuana is more likely to be in contact with people who use and sell other drugs, increasing the risk for being encouraged or tempted to try them. Above are some statistics and facts found on the Nation Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens and on the CDC on the effects THC in marijuana have on the youth and developing brain.
There are several mental side effects of Tetrahydrocannabinol. Marijuana reaches the same pleasure centers in the brain that are targeted by heroin, cocaine and alcohol. Psychosis (such as schizophrenia) is a severe mental disorder in which thought and emotions are so impaired that contact is lost with external reality. Another side effects is impaired thinking and ability to learn complex tasks and skills. Prolonged use of marijuana can cause up to an eight point drop in one’s intelligence quotient level. Some other side effects are lower life satisfaction, potential development of opiate abuse, antisocial tendencies, stealing, lying, financial difficulties, and increased welfare dependency. Some withdrawal effects are anxiety, sleeplessness, fatigue, slow motor skills, and depression. According to the Black Bear Rehab some side effects are anxiety, paranoia, depression, mood swings, panic attacks, memory problems, confusion, and dependence on the wacky tobacky. When coming down from the high, users may feel depressed or extremely tired. While marijuana use produces a mellow experience (users are sometimes referred to as "stoners”) for some, it can heighten agitation, anxiety, insomnia and irritability, according to the NIH. According to a 2014 NorthWestern Medicine study of marijuana users, memory-related structures in the brain appeared to shrink, a possible signs of a decrease in neurons. These abnormalities remained two years after the user stopped using marijuana, indicating that the drug has long-term effects and look similar to brains of schizophrenics. Other changes in mood can occur, with relaxation frequently being reported. Some users experience heightened sensory perception, with colors appearing more vivid and noises being louder. For some, marijuana can cause an altered perception of time and increased appetite, known as the "munchies." The impact can vary by person, how often they have used the drug, the strength of the drug and how often it has been since they have gotten high, among other factors.
When a person smokes marijuana, THC quickly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream. The blood carries the chemical to the brain and other organs throughout the body. The body absorbs THC more slowly when the person eats or drinks it. In that case, they generally feel the effects after 30 minutes to 1 hour.
THC acts on specific brain cell receptors that ordinarily react to natural THC-like chemicals. These natural chemicals play a role in normal brain development and function. Marijuana overactivates parts of the brain that contain the highest number of these receptors. This causes the "high" that people feel. Other effects include: altered senses, altered sense of time, impaired body movements, difficulty thinking, impaired memory, hallucinations, delusions, and psychosis. These are all short terms effects found on the NIDA website.
As much as weed users would like to think that weed is an entirely harmless drug, it really is not Marijuana use has not only been significantly linked with a number of short-term psychosocial problems – including problems with school, work, family, friends and the law – but has also been linked with several longer-term medical and mental health risks. Some of these health risks include: respiratory inflammatory symptoms, nausea and vomiting, immunity suppression, decreased testosterone in men, increased prolactin levels in women, gum disease, and red eyes. Marijuana smoke can cause many of the same respiratory problems experienced by tobacco smokers, such as increased daily cough and phlegm production, more frequent acute chest illnesses such as bronchitis, and a greater instance of lung infections, according to the NIDA. A 2017 study by the Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia found that those who used marijuana were 26% more likely to experience a stroke than those who did not use marijuana. Those studied were also 10 percent more likely to have developed heart failure. Marijuana can also raise heart rate by 20 percent to 100 percent shortly after smoking and the effect can last up to three hours, according to NIDA. Marijuana also can reduce sperm production in men and disrupts a woman's menstrual cycle, according to NIDA. With the potential for increased recreational use, knowing the effects that marijuana can have on your body is as important as ever.
Despite the potential promises of edibles for treatment of a variety of ailments, there are also dangers inherent in edible use that present challenges for users and policy makers. The tricky part about that is that sometimes a single edible can contain as much as 100 milligrams of THC. People are used to eating an entire cookie or candy bar at a time, but consuming an entire edible could result in a high that is far too potent for enjoyment. Because edibles are slower to take effect, it temps users to consumer more than recommended. Dry mouth is usually a symptom experienced after taking too much THC. Once the high has worn off, one may feel extremely tired after consuming too much of a cannabis edible. Taking edibles can be very dangerous and for everyone because of the lack of information about them.
Legality and repercussions of marijuana in the court of law
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in America (marijuana is "illegal" in the sense that it is a controlled substance under federal law, with no recognized legitimate value). Despite the federal classification, some states have passed medical marijuana laws permitting possession under certain circumstances; and some state laws have decriminalized marijuana, making possession of small amounts punishable by fines or treated as infractions, rather than as crimes that carry potential jail sentences. If you have been arrested for possession of marijuana, the key factors that will affect the outcome of your case are as follows: State or federal jurisdiction. In South Carolina, It is a crime to knowingly or intentionally possess up to one ounce of marijuana in South Carolina. Amounts exceeding one ounce are treated as trafficking crimes, explained below in "Manufacture, Distribution, and Trafficking." Penalties for possession vary according to whether the offense is a first or subsequent conviction. The code section is Narcotics and Controlled Substances. For possession, misdemeanor: up to 6 mos. and/or $1000; Subsequent offense: misdemeanor, 1 yr. and/or $2000 Under 1 oz.: 30 days and/or $100 to $200; Over 1 oz.: Prima facie guilty of sale; Subsequent offense under 1 oz.: 1 yr. and/or $200 to $1000. For distribution, Felony: up to 5 yrs. and/or $5,000; Subsequent offense: felony, up to 10 yrs. and/or $10,000; Third offense: felony, 5-20 yrs. and/or $20,000; Sale to minor: misdemeanor, up to 10 yrs. and $10,000. For Trafficking, 10-100 lbs.: 1-10 yrs. and $10,000; 2nd offense: 5-20 yrs and $15,000; Subsequent offense: mandatory 25 yrs. and $25,000; 100-2000 lbs. or 100-1000 plants: mandatory 25 yrs. and $25,000; 2000-10,000 lbs. or 1000-10,000 plants: mandatory 25 yrs. and $50,000; Over 10,000 lbs. or over 10,000 plants: 25-30 yrs. and $200,000, according to findlaws.com. If you were arrested by federal law enforcement, most likely you were targeted for arrest because your possession was in connection with other violations such as drug trafficking large scale grow operations, ties to criminal enterprises, or violent activities or unlawful possession of firearms. Under Federal Law possession by itself is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison and up to $1,000 fine for a first offense. When possession is tied with sale or other criminal enterprises, federal penalties are much harsher and categorized as felonies. Federal prosecutors may also prosecute as marijuana crimes conduct that is legal under a state’s law. This is not common, but the rise in medical marijuana laws has prompted the federal government to periodically reevaluate its enforcement policies. For those charged with personal possession of marijuana (not for resale or distribution), where decriminalization does not apply, a misdemeanor possession charge will be lowest for first offenders. In situations where the charge is based on sales of drug paraphernalia, the penalties can be increased to a felony. Depending on the factors listed above, the penalties for possession can include: a fine (typically up to $2,000), jail time (typically less than one year in jail), mandatory drug testing, drug awareness classes, probation, and electronic monitoring.Punishment for marijuana possession typically varies according to the quantity of marijuana possessed. Possession of marijuana almost always constitutes a felony rather than a misdemeanor when the quantity is large enough to indicate that it is held for sale rather than for personal use. In almost all states, possession of amounts greater than one kilogram can result in felony offenses, which carry a much more significant penalty. These felony charges can also include the growing, cultivation, manufacturing or sale of marijuana or marijuana drug paraphernalia. Although possession of marijuana is typically not considered as serious as possessing other types of drugs or controlled substances, judges have sometimes imposed fairly stiff sentences even on first time offenders. As noted, the individual's age, prior convictions and overall standing in the community are typically taken into consideration. For those that have a driver's license, suspension of the license can also occur and may be ordered by judges. An attorney can assist in minimizing the sentence by working with the prosecuting attorney to plea bargain or agree to a treatment program rather than a conviction.