Cannabis harm to teenagers' brains 'overstated', finds study
Marijuana’s impact on adolescents’ brain development and mental health remains a major concern
The Independent (UK)
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Fears that cannabis causes irreparable harm to teenager’s brains have been stoked by trials which “overstated” the effects on intelligence and other functions, according to a review which found little ill-effect after three days abstinence. Studies have shown it is 114 times less harmful than alcohol, but marijuana’s impact on adolescents’ brain development and mental health is a major concern for policy makers in debates over legalisation. This is a key time developmental period and studies have found negative impacts on attention, learning, memory and organisation in heavy or frequent cannabis users. The study found that the “persistence and magnitude of impact” on teenagers had been overblown.
tags:
