Marijuana is a drug derived from dried and crushed leaves and flowering tops of the hemp plant or cannabis sativa. It is most often smoked, but it can be chewed, prepared as a tea, or eaten in baked goods. Hashish is stronger than marijuana and is produced by drying the resin exudate of the tops of the plant. Synthetic marijuana includes spice or K2. Marijuana is still federally considered an illicit drug; however, it is now legal for medicinal in all but 8 states and legal for all uses in 11 states. The prevalence is higher among men than women with no differences across racial and ethnic groups. The rates of daily use are on the rise and may be related to varying degrees of legal status by state with an alarming trend of increasing marijuana vaping rates among high school students. There are various effects that occur from the use of marijuana which include psychological, physical, and therapeutic effects. The psychological and physical effects from marijuana can be harmful and addictive, however the use of marijuana can at times be therapeutic for individuals with chronic pain and severe diseases.
Cannabinoids are the active ingredients in cannabis including delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and CBD which does not contribute to feeling high. The psychological effects include feelings of relaxation and sociability. Large doses cause rapid shifts of emotion and interferes with attention, memory, and thinking. Heavy doses cause hallucinations, panic, and cognitive impairment. It is difficult to regulate dosage as the effects take 30 minutes to appears causing many people to smoke more than intended waiting for the effects. Physical symptoms include bloodshot and itchy eyes, dry mouth and throat, increased appetite, reduced pressure within the eye, and increased blood pressure. However, there is damage to lung structure and function in long-term users. Cognitive problems are linked to the effects of marijuana on CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain such as the hippocampus. There are different patterns of connectivity between the amygdala and frontal cortex among users compared to non-users. The use can develop tolerance and withdrawal. Therapeutic effects of marijuana can reduce nausea and loss of appetite caused by chemotherapy and can relieve discomfort associated with cancer, glaucoma, chronic pain, muscle spasms, seizures, and discomfort from AIDS. Despite state laws legalizing it, federal law prohibits dispensing marijuana for medicinal purposes. Medical marijuana legalization is not associated with an increase in use among adolescents.
A research study observed the effects of marijuana on college student’s academic performance. The purpose of this study was to assess how collegiate achievement was affected by the consumption of marijuana in college students. The results showed that the consumption of marijuana had significantly negative effects on their academic performance. There was a decrease in student’s standard grades. The amount of D and F letter grades was received more by students with a notable decrease in their total credits taken by semester or term. Students were less inclined to pursue a heavier course load or more credits when using marijuana. Both of these factors lead to an increased amount of time in school due to being at risk for less or barely at a full-time student which also influenced high dropout rates.
Wright, A. C., & Krieg, J. M. (2020). Getting into the weeds: Does legal marijuana access blunt academic performance in college? Economic Inquiry. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecin.12743