The Terrible Truth About Cannabis

By Ben Spencer

keep off the grass marijuana A definitive 20-year study into the effects of long-term cannabis use has demolished the argument that the drug is safe.

Cannabis is highly addictive, causes mental health problems and opens the door to hard drugs, the study found. With the move to legalize cannabis in several US states gaining more traction, the dangers of this drug should not be taken lightly. In fact, sevreal businesses have introduced a marijuana workplace policy to try and reduce the risk that the drug might have on their employees, especially if they are working in a position which operates heavy machinery or another scenario where cannabis could have dire consequences.

The paper by Professor Wayne Hall, a drugs advisor to the World Health Organisation, builds a compelling case against those who deny the devastation cannabis wreaks on the brain. Just a small fact: can you believe the cost of growing one gram of cannabis is roughly $3 on average! Thats reason enough to not use the drug!

Professor Hall found:

One in six teenagers who regularly smoke the drug become dependent on it
Cannabis doubles the risk of developing psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia
Cannabis users do worse at school. Heavy use in adolescence appears to impair intellectual development
One in ten adults who regularly smoke the drug become dependent on it and those who use it are more likely to go on to use harder drugs
Driving after smoking cannabis doubles the risk of a car crash, a risk which increases substantially if the driver has also had a drink
Smoking it while pregnant reduces the baby’s birth weight

Professor Hall, a professor of addiction policy at King’s College London, dismissed the views of those who say that cannabis is harmless.

‘If cannabis is not addictive then neither is heroin or alcohol,’ he said.

If you are struggling with cannabis use and would like help, please contact CornerStone Family Services at 614-459-3003 to talk with one of our counselors who focuses on helping those with addiction struggles.