Effects of Cannabis on Health and Other Behaviours
| Author | James G. Wigmore |
| Pages | 194-374 |
Effects of Cannabis on Health and Other
Behaviours
Currently, alcohol is by far the most common drug detected in medico-
legal or coroner’s cases. THC, though, is a close second. It is like a “me-
too” drug, any problems that alcohol causes, can a lso be caused by THC,
although perhaps not to as great an extent. Unli ke alcohol, THC can
cause psychosis, paranoia, a nd a detachment from reality that can lead
to risky situations, espec ially in regard to falls from a height.
Prolonged, daily cannabis u se is also associated w ith various health
problems, such as cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, hear t attacks,
thrombosis, stroke, and various lung d iseases. Edible cannabis poses even
more risks than smoki ng, especially for children who have seen a large in-
crease in ER admissions due to accidental ex posure to THC by this route
in gummy bears a nd other cannabis-infused candies and cookies. Edible
cannabis may soon pose a ri sk similar to alcohol as a “date rape drug.”
The combination of both drugs causes g reater impairment, espe-
cially in dr iving, and can also increase the risk of dependence on both
drugs. Withdrawal sy mptoms tend to be greater with the use of both
drugs than w ith each drug singly.
. ADOLESCENTS
THC affects the developing adolescent brain to a much greater extent
than the adult brain (, , ). The well-known effects of
cannabis on memory and lear ning cause adolescent users to have a greater
risk of not completing high school or obtaining a university degree, and
consequently being unemployed (, , , ). Liberal-
Chapter : Effects of Cannabis on Health and Other Behaviours
Reference Number:
ization of cannabis policy has been found to increase adolescent use of
this drug (, ). High school cigarette smokers were ten times as
likely to use cannabis, to o (). There is an association between ea rly
cannabis use a nd other drug use (, ). Current, occasional can-
nabis-using secondary school students in France were . times more
likely to have a suicide attempt, . times as likely to have a depressive
mood, and . times as likely to have violent behaviour ().
Reference Number:
, ., . , . . “Has Occasional Cannabis Use
among Adolescents Also to be considered as a Risk Marker?” European
Journal of Public Health, : –, ( tables, references)
Abstract: A survey was conducted of , French secondary school stu-
dents (ages to years) on cannabis use and violent behaviour, suicide
attempts, and depressive mood. Sixty-eight percent of students never
tried cannabis, percent at least once, percent were current occasional
users, and percent were heavy current users. Compared to never users,
current occasional users h ad an OR of . times for suicide attempts, .
times for depressive mood, and . times for violent behaviour.
But our data highlighted that the distance bet ween heavy consumers
and occasional consumers is quite less important than that between
occasional consumers and non-consumers. So, contrary to the general
opinion, the risk is also related to occasional use, not only to regul ar use.
Reference Number:
, ., . , . , . , .
, . . “Cannabis Use and Mental Health in
Secondary School Children. Findings from a Dutch Survey.” British
Journal of Psychiatry : –, ( tables, references)
Abstract: A survey was conducted on cannabis u se and mental health
of , adolescents (ages to years) in The Netherlands. Past year
prevalence of cannabis use was . percent in those aged years, .
percent in those aged years, and . percent in those aged years.
After adjusting for confounding factors, ca nnabis use was linked to de-
linquent and aggressive behaviour but not to withdrawn behaviour a nd
depression.
Wigmore on Cannabis
Reference Number:
In a country with a liberal drug polic y like The Netherlands, cannabis
use is associated with aggression and delinquenc y, just as in other coun-
tries. Cannabis use was not asso ciated with an internalizing problem.
Alcohol use and regular smoking were strong confounding fac tors.
Reference Number:
, .., . , .. . “Marijuana Motives: Young
Adults’ Reasons for Using Marijuana.” Addictive Behaviors, : –
, ( tables, references)
Abstract: A survey was conducted on high school graduates in
Washington state (mean age years, percent male, and percent
female) of cannabis users as to their motives to st art using this drug. Of
the participants who reported using cannabis in the last year, .
percent reported experiencing at least one negative consequence related
to its use. The most common negative consequences were change in per-
sonality ( percent), neglecting responsibilities ( percent), or going to
school or work while high ( percent).
Table: Motives for Marijuana Use and Percent Endorsing the Motive
Motive Category % Endorsing Motive
Enjoyment/fun (e.g., be happy, get high, enjoy feeling ) .%
Conformity (e.g., peer pressu re, friends do it) .%
Experimentation (e.g., new experience, curiosity) .%
Social enhancement (e.g., bond ing with friends, hang out) .%
Boredom (e.g., something to do, noth ing better to do) .%
Relaxation (e.g., to relax, helps m e sleep) .%
Coping (e.g., depressed, relieve stress) .%
Availability (e.g., easy to get , it was offered) .%
Relative low risk (e.g., no health risk, n o hangover) .%
Alter perception or pers pectives (e.g., to enhance
experiences, makes thin gs more fun)
.%
Source: Adapted from Lee et al,
This research is the first study we are aware of to qualitatively asses s
marijuana use motives by asking students for the ir own reasons for
using marijuana. Further, this study found that those emerging adult ,
incoming freshmen who use marijuana for habit, altered p erceptions,
activity enhancement, enjoyment/fun, rebellion, or coping reasons are
at greater risk for frequent marijuana use and/or negative consequences.
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