A number of marijuana myths are floating around amongst people regarding marijuana and these people must have marijuana education in understanding the real picture.
Myth 1: Marijuana is Harmless
This might not kill you but smoking marijuana is not risk free. Regular users of marijuana suffer from poor academic performance, loss of memory and lung cancer. It could cause anxiety, panic attacks, depression and other mental health problems for teenagers whose brain is under development.
Myth 2: Marijuana is not addictive
This is not true. In 2004, 64% of teenagers were admitted for marijuana rehab treatment against 36% of all other substances. Marijuana is addictive because it fulfils the criteria for substance dependence stipulated by the American Psychiatric Association.
- Tolerance – needs increased quantity to get the same effects
- Withdrawal symptoms – occur when you stop using marijuana
- Gives up social, occupational or recreational activities for substance use
Once the user gets addicted to marijuana he finds it difficult to quit.
Myth 3: Marijuana is not as bad as cigarettes
Not true. Marijuana contains most of the chemicals that cause cancer and it has a higher risk than smoking tobacco. Therefore, if you smoke pot regularly, you will be experiencing the same breathing problems that cigarette smokers have.
Myth 4: It is safer to drive when you are high on marijuana than driving when you are drunk
Not true. A study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has concluded that even a moderate dose of marijuana can impair driving performance because pot smoking reduces your alertness, concentration, perception coordination and reaction time and all these skills are required for coordinated safe driving. Researchers have also found that 1/6th of the crash victims below the age 18 tested positive for marijuana.
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Tags: Marijuana, marijuana education, myths
