Chapter Five: Myths and Misconceptions

Myths and Misconceptions

We'll begin this discussion by identifying a few common ideas and thoughts about marijuana and marijuana users, then analyze the evidence that supports (or argues against) the belief. 

1. Marijuana is a gateway drug
2. Marijuana is addictive and dependence is increasing
3. Marijuana is as harmful as tobacco and alcohol
4. Marijuana use is correlated with mental health disorders and decrease in cognitive abilities
5. Marijuana can kill you by overdose
6. Marijuana is becoming stronger and more potent
7. Marijuana is correlated with crime and aggression
8. Marijuana makes you an unsafe driver

Marijuana is a gateway drug

The number of hard drug users are going down, while marijuana user numbers are going up. Studies show that 75% of all Americans who use marijuana have never used hard drugs such as cocaine and heroine. Interestingly, those who started drinking alcohol were more likely to partake in hard-drug use. New evidence suggests that marijuana can function as an "exit drug" by helping people reduce or eliminate their use of more harmful drugs by easing withdrawal symptoms. 

Marijuana is addictive and dependence is increasing

Research show that only 9% of users become addicted to marijuana, more than any other illicit drug (even caffeine!). Moreover, marijuana does not cause physical dependence. Any dependence is psychologically constructed. It is possible to experience mild withdrawal symptoms, but unlike withdrawal from alcohol, it cannot kill you. Surveys have demonstrated that most of those who have smoked marijuana in the past do not become regular users. Rates of marijuana dependence have not increased over the past 10 years.

Marijuana is as harmful as tobacco and alcohol

Marijuana is in fact safer than tobacco and alcohol. Not only has no one directly died as a result of marijuana use, but alcohol use is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents and can lead to death by poisoning. Smoking cigarettes has been directly correlated to lung cancer, but smoking marijuana has not been proven to have any detrimental effects on the lungs. The annual death rate of marijuana is zero, and is actually lessening the number of people who use tobacco and alcohol. 

Marijuana use is correlated with mental health disorders and decrease in cognitive abilities

No harm from marijuana has been found on the brain, even from long term high-dose use. In fact, some studies suggest that marijuana can help in neurogenesis, the creation of new neurons in the brain. Researchers have found no evidence of brain abnormalities in monkeys who inhaled 4-5 marijuana cigarettes every day for a year. Marijuana does not kill brain cells. Some studies have shown decreased IQ in adulthood when individuals begin smoking as a teenager, but the effects were not found when an individual begins smoking as an adult. While smoking causes a temporary short-term memory deficit, people are still able to recall information they have already learned. 

Some studies have shown that there is a link between marijuana use and mental illness, but there is a lack of compelling evidence to support such claims that marijuana is a causal risk factor in the development of psychiatric disorders. Most tellingly, population rates of schizophrenia and other psychiatric illnesses have remained flat even when marijuana user rates have increased. Emerging evidence indicates it may alleviate psychiatric symptoms, and may have an anti-psychotic property. 

Marijuana can kill you by overdose

There has yet to be one documented case of overdosing on marijuana. Animal test shave shown that extremely high doses of marijuana is needed to have a lethal effect. You would need to consumer 40,000 times the normal dose (or 800 joints) of marijuana in one sitting to have a severe effect.  In fact, if you did manage to overdose, what would kill you is the level of carbon monoxide in your body, not the THC!

Marijuana is becoming stronger and more potent

Increase in potency is occurring, but this is largely due to prohibition. While the statement may be true, it can be misleading. Since access to marijuana is risky and limited, both consumers and producers are incentivized to use or sell higher potency material. The same trend was seen during alcohol prohibition. When access is regulated and controlled, there are a wider variety of available potencies. 

Marijuana is correlated with crime and aggression

There is absolutely no link to marijuana and crime or aggression. Scholars and government commissions for the most part agree that marijuana in no way causes crime. Almost all human and animal studies show that marijuana decreases rather than increases aggression. Moreover, those who were drunk showed far more aggression that those were were high.

Marijuana makes you an unsafe driver

Studies have shown that people who smoke marijuana have less motor vehicle accidents compared to those who drink alcohol. It has even been suggested that it makes people more cautious and attentive drivers. Accident studies have found that drivers who test positive for THC often show no signs of impairment, and in some instances even may drive more safely. 

References

• http://norml.org/aboutmarijuana/item/good-plant?category_id=730
• http://norml.org/aboutmarijuana/item/violent-acts?category_id=730
• http://www.drugpolicy.org/drug-facts/10-facts-about-marijuana
• http://www.weather.com/health/shocking-things-you-dont-know-about-weed-20140407?pageno=1
• http://www.chicagonow.com/chicago-medical-marijuana/2013/10/5-amazing-things-you-didnt-know-about-marijuana/
• http://www.theweedblog.com/42-0-facts-about-marijuana-and-why-it-should-be-legal/
• http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana