There is a lot of misinformation about marijuana being passed around. Most of it are well meaning people who are just sharing what they were taught when anti-drug campaigns like D.A.R.E. frequented schools warning youths of the dangers of using drugs. Join us here while we bust through some of the more common myths you may have heard already.
Myth: Marijauana is a gateway drug.
Fact: Research from The University of New Hampshire states that is not the case. For a great majority of recreational users, marijuana does not serve as a gateway drug to harder more addictive drugs. Rather, some people may already be predisposed to experiment with harder drugs while facing the curve balls all youth experience as they age and grow in maturity. Other factors like employment, poverty, and other stressors may push a person already using marijuana to try other drugs.
Myth: Marijuana is addictive.
Fact: Fact: While it's true that marijuana will not become physically addictive, it is possible to develop a psychological addiction over continued use. The National Institute on Drug Abuse defines addiction as "compulsive use even when the user says it's getting in the way of home, work, or school."
Myth: Marijuana is harmless.
Fact: Research by the National Institute on Drug Abuse show that marijuana use can cause decrease in cognitive abilities such as difficulty concentrating or thinking, attention, and memory up to 24 hours after use. As research shows that marijuana does impair the users cognitive abilities, it can't be said for certain that the use of marijuana is harmless as users often make everyday decisions like operating heavy machinery potentially putting themselves and others at risk around them.
Myth: Marijuana can be used as a treatment for cancer and other diseases.
Fact: There is little research currently to back this claim up, but one that should be further funded. Synthetic THC, the primary active ingredient in marijuana, is currently used in FDA approved drug Marinol which is prescripbed to curb nausea in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, as well as stimulate appetite in HIV/AIDS patients. So this myth seems to have some substance that is worth looking into further.
