As many governments study the possible decriminalization of cannabis use, Danish researchers are urging them to exercise caution before legislating. A new study, published in The Lancet Psychiatry, indeed shows that marijuana degrades the school situation of teenagers, and increases the risk of psychiatric illnesses.
The researchers reviewed the results of 3 large longitudinal studies including more than 3,700 young Australians aged 17, regular, occasional or non-smokers of marijuana. Unsurprisingly, they indicate that teens who smoke cannabis every day does not finish their schooling and stop their studies at the secondary level. “The likelihood of them graduating from college is reduced by 60%,” the researchers say. In addition, these young smokers are 7 times more likely to attempt suicide or use other illicit drugs before the age of 30.
This ties in with another recent study. American researchers have also shown that cannabis consumption, even occasional, is linked to changes in certain areas of the brain. And especially the areas involved in emotion and motivation.
“These results provide solid evidence that a cannabis prevention and warning policy can have real social and health benefits,” concludes Dr Edmund Silins, University of Copenhagen, co-author of the study.
