Marijuana is now legal for recreational use in 21 states, but some legislators and health experts are concerned that regulations are being loosened quicker than safety research can be conducted. Due to the fact that cannabis is still illegal at the federal level, it has been exceedingly difficult to conduct sufficient studies on its potential hazards and adverse effects. Nonetheless, some lawmakers believe that legalizing is the only way to add rules and protections to the sale of marijuana and protect youngsters from the substance.
"One of the reasons I have pushed so hard to legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana is because I do not want young people to have access to it. It has proven detrimental effects on the developing mind, according to Congressman Earl Blumenauer. (D-Ore). "Consumers must be able to determine how much THC is in the products they are consuming, as opposed to the current unregulated market that makes this nearly impossible."
In late January, the FDA announced that it will not regulate cannabis as a dietary supplement, refusing three citizen requests seeking guidance on CBD. In a statement, FDA principal deputy commissioner Janet Woodcock said, "We have not found sufficient evidence to determine how much CBD can be ingested and for how long before causing harm." "[A]fter a thorough review, the FDA has determined that a new regulatory pathway for CBD is necessary in order to strike a balance between individuals' desire for access to CBD products and the regulatory oversight necessary to manage risks." Then, what does this imply? For the time being, buyers should be wary: Here is what we know about the adverse effects of marijuana, according to specialists. Read on, and to protect your health and the wellbeing of those around you, don't overlook these Certain Signs You've Already Had COVID.
The Dangers Of Food
In Canadian jurisdictions where edible sales are authorized, the rate of pediatric poisonings is higher than in provinces where they are not legal. This is despite the introduction of child-resistant packaging, according to Daniel Myran, a fellow at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. "It suggests that an increase in poisonings will occur if cannabis is added to candy or chocolate," Myran explains. "This is a question for the regulators: Do you require this product form? Can adult consumers have the opportunity and option to purchase a legal cannabis product that does not need to appeal to young children to this extent?"
According to Dr. Marit Tweet, an emergency medicine physician and medical toxicologist at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, the problem is largely underreported. "This instance would not be reported if children ingested these substances at home and their caregivers did not contact poison centers or take them to a healthcare facility where a professional could report the incident. Additionally, if a child presents to a healthcare facility after a moderate exposure and the healthcare provider feels comfortable caring for the child without input from the poison center, then these incidents may not be reported."
Anxiety Related to Cannabis
Marijuana can produce anxiety, but the dose is crucial, as modest doses have been demonstrated to reduce anxiety. According to Susan A. Stoner, PhD, THC appears to lessen anxiety at lower dosages and raise anxiety at greater doses, assuming all other factors remain constant. In a recent study, participants were subjected to a well-validated psychosocial stress test and this impact was observed. A low dose of THC (7.5 mg) decreased the length of negative emotional responses to the task and post-task assessments of the stressor's threat and difficulty. In contrast, a greater dose of THC (12.5 mg) elicited minor but statistically significant increases in anxiety, negative mood, and subjective distress before and during the psychosocial stress test.
Jodi Gilman, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital's Center for Addiction Medicine, stated, "Our study highlights the need for improved decision-making regarding the use of cannabis for specific medical complaints, particularly mood and anxiety disorders, which are associated with an increased risk of cannabis use disorder." "Patients need better guidance around a system that allows them to choose their own products, determine their own dosage, and frequently receive no professional follow-up care."
Related to Cannabis, Emphysema
According to studies, smoking marijuana may cause comparable lung harm to tobacco. Andrew Salner, MD, medical director of the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute at Hartford Hospital and member of the CT Medical Marijuana Program Physician Advisory Board, states that smoking marijuana increases the risk of lung illness. We are aware that it can lead to emphysema and chronic bronchitis... Vaping does not contain combustion byproducts, but it does contain substances that enter the lungs directly, which can induce an allergic reaction. There is a danger of lung tissue injury from flavors and other substances, as seen by the recent wave of vaping-related lung ailments.
Dr. Salner is concerned about the long-term effects of smoking, despite the absence of concrete evidence between marijuana and lung cancer. Dr. Salner emphasizes that many persons who smoked in their teens, twenties, and beyond develop cancer in their sixties. "If you asked a hundred scientists if smoking marijuana causes lung cancer, the majority would likely say yes, because it contains the same carcinogens and poisons as tobacco smoke. It is believed that a single marijuana cigarette may contain the same amount of carcinogens as 10 to 20 conventional cigarettes."
Marijuana-Related Brain Development
Studies indicate that the usage of marijuana by adolescents may hinder their cognitive development. "Of the more than 500 chemicals found in marijuana, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is regarded as the primary psychoactive (mind-altering) compound," explains Dr. Pravesh Sharma. "The amount of THC in a marijuana product is directly proportional to its potency, or the intensity of the high it produces when consumed. The use of marijuana by teenagers and young adults can impair normal brain development, resulting in difficulties with learning, memory, coordination, reaction time, and judgment.
"Excessive and frequent marijuana usage is linked to hallucinations, paranoia, and a variety of emotional issues. Marijuana use disorder refers to the severe type of cannabis abuse. Youth who use marijuana at a young age, in large quantities, and who exhibit the aforementioned risk factors are more likely to develop a marijuana use disorder.