drug abuse

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1 Cannabis Prevention, Education, and Legalization Krista Ford (800500342) Western Kentucky University Drug Abuse Education (PH 467) Dr. Sabita Shrestha 12/1/2023

2 Many states within the United States have recently legalized the medicinal and recreational use of Cannabis. For decades, marijuana use, and its effects have been debated in politics and the media. Marijuana use can be traced back centuries and has been used recreationally and medically in the U.S. until it was deemed illegal when congress passed the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 (Hudak, 2016). In the 1930s, marijuana was portrayed to incite violent behavior and then became a rebellious symbol against societal norms in the 1960s (Hasan, 2023). The Controlled Substance Act of 1970 classified marijuana as a Schedule 1 substance along with LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), MDMA (ecstasy), peyote, and mescaline (Iserson, 2019). Undeterred by this, marijuana use for recreational and medicinal purposes has risen in the United States with 81% of American adults reporting it has at least one medical benefit (Hasan, 2023). Studies in young adults have shown that marijuana use may interfere with learning capabilities and decrease lifetime achievement (Hasan, 2023). Research has also shown that high rates of marijuana use in young adults has been associated with reduced learning ability leading to lower educational attainment (Hasan, 2023). As more states legalize marijuana for its medicinal and recreational purposes, it is imperative to explore the harmful effects, the positive impacts, and the governments’ significant role on societal views of the naturally grown flower. Throughout history, all drugs have initially been used for their positive attributes with research on the harmful effects being inevitably and eventually revealed. A survey in 2016 and 2017 revealed more than 39 million Americans reported using marijuana for recreational and medicinal purposes in the past year (Hasan, 2023). Human organs such as the brain, liver, nervous system, and skeletal muscles, contain cannabinoid receptors and due to these locations, marijuana can have harmful effects (Hasan, 2023). Interfering effects may include, but are not

3 limited to disabled learning ability, mental disorders, cardiovascular disorders, and certain cancers (Hasan, 2023). Cannabis consumption can raise heart rate, increase blood pressure, cause oxidative stress, as well as increase the likelihood of arrhythmias, thrombosis, and ischemia, potentially leading to the onset of peripheral artery disease (Hasan, 2023). Individuals who use marijuana are at greater risk for developing cardiovascular disorders and certain types of cancer (Hasan, 2023). Marijuana research shows interference with preexisting conditions, however, has not been shown to be the primary reason for an onset of disease, illness, or a direct cause of death. High rates of marijuana use in young adults can lead to lower educational attainment due to its adverse effects on cognitive functioning during acute intoxication (Hasan, 2023). A longitudinal study also revealed marijuana use before the age of 17 was found to negatively impact academic performance leading to lower educational attainment and lower adult income (Hasan, 2023). Long term use, consistent use, and early initiation of marijuana use can increase the severity of potential adverse effects on memory and focus (Hasan, 2023). Research suggests early usage predicts a lack of achievement in individuals versus those who start using it later in life (Hasan, 2023). Frequent marijuana use in adolescents has been shown to lower the chances of graduating from high school and gaining a college degree versus teenagers that never used the drug or occasionally used the drug in moderation (Hasan, 2023). Overuse of marijuana by adolescents adversely affects their performance to memorize, focus, learn, and develop. Studies have revealed prolonged use of marijuana has a strong connection to several factors such as low income, social services, criminal behavior, unemployment, and overall satisfaction with life (Hasan, 2023). Research suggests early use of marijuana predicts poverty, leading to a dissatisfaction of life by hindering an individual’s ability to achieve their

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4 goals through financial means. Additionally, it also implies that a young marijuana user will likely become a low-income or unemployed adult that engages in criminal behavior due to a lack of quality of life. Cannabis has been used for medicinal and recreational purposes since ancient periods. Use of the plant will release hormones like dopamine which makes it useful in managing illnesses such as anxiety, mental disorders, pain, and obesity. Marijuana has been used as a non- threatening and effective alternative to opioids to relieve pain and without the risk of addiction (Hasan, 2023). However, like most medication, efficacy lies in the moderate use of marijuana and too much can cause an increase in pain (Hasan, 2023). Several research studies have supported the effectiveness of cannabis on relieving pain. It is commonly used to manage chronic pain caused by multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and joint pain (Hasan, 2023). Cannabis has also been used to treat particular conditions associated with inflammation such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, chronic liver disease, asthma, and other immune diseases (Hasan, 2023). The flower may aid in reducing social anxiety and prevent acute psychosis as a preferred treatment due to its minimal side effects (Hasan, 2023). Medically, marijuana has minimal side effects versus some of its counterparts that exist unsparingly in our pharmacies, purchased by our insurance companies, and through our prescribing doctor. The government’s role has greatly impacted society’s view of marijuana throughout history. The legalization of cannabis has been an ongoing issue for years and has been legalized in some American states. Public opinion has greatly influenced the legalization of marijuana with 91% of Americans supporting use for medicinal and recreational purposes and 59% approving for medicinal purposes only (Hasan, 2023). Legalization of marijuana for adult consumption has

5 generated billions in tax revenues. At the end of 2022, states reported a total greater than $15 billion in tax revenues from legal, adult-use marijuana sales with legalization states generating more than $3.77 billion in marijuana tax revenue from adult-use sales (Project, 2023). Historically, the prohibition of cannabis has been used to oppress racial groups by being portrayed as a dangerous and addictive drug when associated with Mexican immigrants and African Americans (Hasan, 2023). This stigma is still alive and well today. Black Americans are arrested substantially more than White Americans despite similar rates of drug use (Hasan, 2023). Marijuana threatens adolescents and youth as their minds begin to change and grow. Early onset of use, overuse, and frequent use are especially hazardous to adolescents and their future. Stanford Medicine released The Cannabis/Marijuana Awareness & Prevention Toolkit that can be used by educators, elementary students, middle and high school students; community-based organizations; and health-related agencies (Stanford Medicine, 2023). The toolkit gives students, educators, and organizations to learn basic information about cannabis and marijuana products (Stanford Medicine, 2023). It also gives them the ability to understand how their brains develop, how cannabis effects this development, and how it can affect the development of life skills (Stanford Medicine, 2023). The awareness and prevention toolkit informs how cannabis can prevent adolescents from finding what truly brings them pleasure and inspires them to explore who they are and what they like outside of participating in marijuana use (Stanford Medicine, 2023). The program informs why and how some people (1 in 6 youth) can become addicted to cannabis and gives support to those that continue to not use marijuana (Stanford Medicine, 2023). The program urges to consider decreasing, delaying, or

6 stopping marijuana use for current users (Stanford Medicine, 2023). The toolkit also educates on refusal skills addressing peer pressure, testing, and the use of marijuana (Stanford Medicine, 2023). Marijuana can have adverse or positive effects on someone’s personal, work or school life. Frequency, quantity of use, age of onset, and personal differences all influence its effects on an individual (Hasan, 2023). The harmful effects, positive impacts, and the publics opinion must be applied when determining future drug prevention tactics, educational programs, and the legalization of cannabis. Effective and efficient programs like The Cannabis/Marijuana Awareness & Prevention Toolkit can help educate youth on the implications of marijuana use on their developing brain and their futures. Negative effects of adult use can be positively correlated with preexisting conditions but has been shown to effectively treat several illnesses and with fewer side effects. Education around marijuana and its effects should be widely spread within our communities and schools and should not be used by adolescents. Medical and recreational marijuana use in adults should be used responsibly, in moderation, and after consulting your health care provider.

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7 References Hasan, K. M. (2023). Cannabis Unveiled: An Exploration of Marijuana’s History, Active Compounds, Effects, Benefits, and Risks on Human Health. Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment , 17 , 11782218231182552–11782218231182552. https://doi.org/10.1177/11782218231182553 Hudak, J. (John J. (2016). Marijuana a short history . Brookings Institution Press. Iserson, K. V. (2019). “Go Ask Alice”: The Case for Researching Schedule I Drugs. Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics , 28 (1), 168–177. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0963180118000518 Project, M. P. (2023). Cannabis tax revenue in states that regulate cannabis for adult use . MPP. https://www.mpp.org/issues/legalization/cannabis-tax-revenue-states-regulate-cannabis- adult-use/#:~:text=Through%20the%20end%20of%202022,revenue%20from%20adult %2Duse%20sales. Stanford Medicine. (n.d.). The Cannabis/Marijuana Awareness & Prevention Toolkit . Cannabis/Marijuana Awareness and Prevention Toolkit. https://med.stanford.edu/cannabispreventiontoolkit/about.html

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