Marijuana, commonly known as weed, pot, grass, Mary Jane and reefer, is a commonly smoked drug that is derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, has been found to pose risks to your health and smoking marijuana can be harmful to your daily life.
Brain Impairments
People who smoke marijuana regularly function mentally at a consistently lower level than those who don't, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Smoking marijuana can cause disturbances in thinking and memory, problems with perception and coordination and an inability to learn. Long-term marijuana use has been shown to cause harmful effects on motivation. The drug is also associated with impairing a sense of time and control and, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, around 120,000 people in 2002 found themselves hospitalized due to marijuana-related issues.
Mental Health
An article published March 2, 2010 on CNN Health states that young people between the ages of 14 and 15 that smoke marijuana have a higher risk---almost double---of developing schizophrenia. The National Institute on Drug Abuse found that marijuana users have higher rates of anxiety, depression and thoughts of suicide than people who do not smoke the drug.
Physical Health
Smoking marijuana can have harmful effects on the physical body with particular problems associated with the heart and lungs, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. People who smoke marijuana but do not smoke tobacco often have the same physical symptoms of those who do smoke tobacco, such as higher phlegm production, a consistent cough, lung infections and even higher rates of respiratory illnesses. Marijuana is associated with a higher risk of developing lung cancer and can increase risk of heart attack up to four times after smoking, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Addiction
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that long-term use of marijuana can cause addiction. Users of marijuana that attempt to quit frequently report symptoms such as bad temper, insomnia, diminished hunger, anxiety, nervousness and craving marijuana. Typically symptoms such as these wane after a week or two, but can make quitting drug use difficult.
Legal and Daily Risks
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services warns that since marijuana is illegal except in some circumstances where it is used medicinally, selling, using or possessing marijuana or marijuana paraphernalia can lead to arrest or large fines. Using marijuana can lead to career problems, increased absences and late arrivals, worker accidents and job turnovers.
