Fast Facts: Marijuana Abuse in Numbers
- 183 million people worldwide use marijuana
- Marijuana is the most used psychotropic drug in the US
- 8 million young adults used marijuana in the past year
- 4% of 12th graders claim to vape marijuana’s main compound daily
- Marijuana was involved in 242,000 emergency room visits in 2005
- 40% of males arrested for crimes test positive for marijuana at the time of the arrest
- Of the adults who started using marijuana before the age of 15, 62% went on to use cocaine, 9% went on to use heroin, and 54% went on to use mind-altering prescription drugs for non-medical reasons
- Marijuana is the second most common substance found in the blood of drivers involved in fatal car crashes and vehicular accidents
What Happens When You Use Marijuana?
The cannabis plant – where marijuana comes from – contains over 200 different cannabinoids. These chemical compounds give the plant its distinct effects, and of the various cannabinoids in its chemistry, tetrahydrocannabinol or THC produces the psychoactive effects associated with marijuana. When inhaled as smoke, marijuana’s effects manifest almost instantly. But when taken orally, marijuana can take 30 minutes to an hour before its effects start showing. These short-term changes may vary significantly from person to person, but some of the more common products include:
- Laughter
- Increased appetite
- Altered perception of time
- Heightened sensory perception
- Loss of inhibitions
- Deficits through processes
- Drowsiness or sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Euphoria
- Anxiety and fear
- Distrust
- Hallucinations and delusions
- Paranoia
Smoking marijuana will manifest effects for around 1 to 3 hours after use, while consuming it may produce a much longer-lasting high. Once the results wane, marijuana can remain in your system for weeks or more, depending on how much you took. Although the short-term effects of marijuana tend to vary from person to person, the euphoric feeling and the heightened sense of well-being may be reason enough for most of those who try the substance to repeat its use. And while most people can stop using marijuana without trouble, others develop dependence.
This happens when an individual takes too much marijuana too often. The body becomes accustomed to the constant presence of the substance, which is why a person might not feel ‘normal’ without marijuana. When this happens, withdrawal symptoms may occur, making the individual feel sick, unwell, and unable to perform typical duties and responsibilities. Some of marijuana’s long-term effects may include:
- Lack of motivation
- Weight gain
- Nervousness
- Paranoid behavior
- Troubled relationships
- Intimate partner violence
- Financial turmoil
- Increased tendency to commit crimes
- Increased risk of exploring other narcotics
- Difficulty finding and keeping jobs
- Impaired thinking and learning ability
- Decline in IQ
A marijuana dependence will push a person to keep using the drug to avoid withdrawal symptoms. But with substance use comes the whirlwind of effects on personality, mood, cognition, and motor skills. So as a person becomes more and more dependent on the drug, they become less capable of functioning at home, at work, and within society. This makes it difficult for an individual with marijuana dependence to keep a job, which may trickle into the financial aspect of their life. And the altered personality and cognition may also impact how they interact with others. Unable to properly relate with people within their social circle, it’s highly likely for a marijuana abuser to experience relationship stress.
With impaired cognitive functioning, decision-making skills, and thinking skills, individuals with marijuana dependence are also more likely to commit crimes. Stealing becomes a viable solution to resolve financial problems and provides a means to secure the next dosage. Vehicular accidents and domestic violence are also prevalent among marijuana abusers.
