I'm talking about differences in brain structure, as revealed in imaging studies. This article talks about it.
While that article discusses one type of damage, other studies have shown different kinds of damage. For instance, studies have demonstrated durable personality changes (such as the lack of motivation that afflicts pot smokers). And yet others show that pot use in adolescence precipitates psychotic disorder. Here, adolescence refers to the period of time in which the brain is still developing, which occurs up to about age 25. In these studies, there is no way to determine whether the kids who become psychotic were predisposed, were already developing the disease, or got the disease as a result of the pot use.
As this experiment with pot legalization goes on, we will see a lot more impaired people. I'm inclined to think that the old propaganda film, "Reefer Madness" was not as over-the-top as I had always believed. I do not think that pot legalization will continue, as it becomes more and more apparent just how damaging it is and government officials roll back legalization as a result.
Interesting article. Thanks for posting. I think I am behind on keeping up with this issue and what I posted earlier is the result of things I read years ago, probably now out of date. As a parent, it’s my responsibility to read more about this. Thanks again.
Thought your post was spot on...except for the last line...
Considering that the main reason pot is moving toward legalization is driven by the tax revenue generated...
Our government has a very poor history regarding public health issues when tax dollars will be impacted...
Alcohol, cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco come to mind. All these products are legal and far more impacting health wise than pot...
If anything government will at some point increase the tax to drive pot use down but once these tax dollars are generated the politicians will never give them up...