The teen years are “the absolute worst time” to use marijuana. Many studies and neurologists echo this sentiment. Krista Lisdahl, director of the brain imaging and neuropsychology lab at University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee explained this rationale in a National Public Radio article.
“Actually, in childhood our brain is larger…Then, during the teenage years, our brain is getting rid of those connections that weren’t really used, and it prunes back,” said Lisdahl.
Lisdahl explains that marijuana disrupts this process and hinders the user from achieving their fullest intellectual capacity.
The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) affirms Lisdahl’s suggestion for teens to refrain from using marijuana, citing several studies that show marijuana use can cause impaired cognitive abilities. NIDA also cites studies that show adolescent exposure to THC leads to an altered reward system, increasing the likelihood that marijuana users will try other drugs. Evidence shows abstaining from marijuana use may repair these functions. People who use frequently without abstinence will not repair these functions.
If these findings can’t convince teens to avoid pot, maybe this study from the University of Connecticut will. The Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism assessed 1,165 people beginning at age 12. The researchers assessed the participants every two years until they were between 25 and 34 years old. Researchers assessed their educational levels, marital status, full-time employment and social and economic potential. The evidence found that “chronic marijuana use in adolescence was negatively associated with achieving important developmental milestones in young adulthood.” Milestones such as going to college, getting a job or getting married.
For those of you reading this and thinking “age requirements will stop teens from smoking it,” I cite a study the Oregon Research Institute conducted which showed that marijuana legalization increased dependence among teen users. This study also indicated that age restrictions may not keep teens from using marijuana. Legalizing recreational marijuana WILL increase teens’ access.
Vote no to legalizing marijuana in your state and save young minds and yourself from its’ harms.
Jessie Schirrick 