MARIJUANA – WHEN IS IT A PROBLEM?
With marijuana being legalized and being available for public consumption and sale, there are many questions that people have about this monumental change. Understandably, many people are concerned and are worried about substance abuse rates rising. Recreational marijuana is now going to become a part of the societal and cultural norm and it is important to understand the risk and benefits of such a drug being made legal for public consumption.
Like many other substances, Marijuana can be used recreationally and many people are able to enjoy this substance responsibly. Studies have also found that marijuana can be used for medical purposes in the treatment of a wide array of health issues. As with anything, it is important to consult with your family physician if you have questions about using marijuana for medical purposes and if it is something that would make sense for you. Finally, there is also a group of the population who use marijuana to self-medicate and it becomes a substitute for other coping skills.
Due to marijuana being considered to be illegal for most individuals in Canada to use (until Oct. 17, 2018) the long term effects of using it have not been well studied. With Marijuana being made legal there will hopefully be a number of research studies in the up coming years looking at the effects it has in the long term, on youth and young adults, and on different medical and mental health conditions.
Marijuana comes from a plant known as Cannabis Sativa, and can come in many forms. Typically the flower of the plant is dried, ground up, and smoked. It can also be consumed in the form of edibles, which contain marijuana.. Marijuana can also be added to food and drinks
Marijuana is a psychoactive drug and it has an effect on a person’s perception. The psychoactive ingredient in marijuana is known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is what contributes to that feeling of being “high”. One important thing to note is that the THC content of marijuana has increased as much as 300% since the 1960’s, meaning that the marijuana people are smoking today is much more potent than what people where using back in the 1960’s.
Effects of marijuana can be either positive or negative and each person will react differently. Effects of marijuana include:
· Increase in appetite
· Feelings of euphoria
· Reduced anxiety
· Mild hallucinations
· Impaired cognition
· Panic attacks
Marijuana can become addictive and it can have a negative impact on someone’s personal life. Substance abuse is a patterned use of a drug that leads to harm to the user or those around them. Marijuana addiction can lead to someone falling behind at work or school, it can negatively effect their performance, and they can have an inability to attend to their daily responsibilities. The biggest indicator that someone may be struggling with marijuana addiction is constant, and strong urges to use marijuana, regardless of the negative consequences. You don’t have to have full blown addiction to seek out help either, if you are noticing that maybe you’re relying on marijuana more than you would likes, especially during moments of high stress, than it may be a good time to reach out for some help. Take preventative steps, and engaging in therapy to learn how to cope with challenges and difficulties in a healthy way can be all you need to avoid falling victim to the pitfalls of substance abuse.
