Historique
Rapport
Marijuana: myths and facts. The truth behind 10 popular misperceptions
Auteur(s) :
ONDCP (Office of National Drug Control Policy)
Année
2004
Page(s) :
39 p.
Langue(s) :
Anglais
Éditeur(s) :
Washington, DC : ONDCP
Refs biblio. :
68
Domaine :
Drogues illicites / Illicit drugs
Thésaurus mots-clés
CANNABIS
;
PREVENTION
;
REPRESENTATION SOCIALE
;
MYTHE
Thésaurus géographique
ETATS-UNIS
Résumé :
This booklet challenges the myths that marijuana is harmless, is not addictive, is not as harmful to health as tobacco, makes one mellow, is used to treat cancer and other diseases, is not as popular as other drugs used by teens, does not hurt others when used, does not expose users' children to it, resists parental preventive intervention, and results in casual users being sent to prison.
In challenging these myths, this booklet provides empirical data to show that marijuana can cause short-term memory loss, distorted perception, irrational thinking and problem solving, and anxiety, thus jeopardizing school performance and positive social development. It is also associated with later use of other illicit drugs and drug dependence. The earlier adolescents start using marijuana, the more likely they are to become dependent on it or other illicit drugs. Regular use of marijuana apparently is at least as damaging to the users' health as regular use of tobacco, and adolescents who use marijuana weekly are nearly four times more likely than nonusers to report engaging in violent behavior. Legitimate health claims have been made for THC, the primary active chemical in marijuana, but it is available in prescription medicine; as a smoked product, marijuana has never proven to be medically beneficial. Marijuana has been the most widely used illicit drug among high school seniors for decades. Further, marijuana contributes to behaviors that harm others, including the user's children. Parents can effectively intervene to prevent their children from experimenting with marijuana. Although its use is illegal, the response of the criminal justice system is to provide treatment and prevention measures for users, not imprisonment.
In challenging these myths, this booklet provides empirical data to show that marijuana can cause short-term memory loss, distorted perception, irrational thinking and problem solving, and anxiety, thus jeopardizing school performance and positive social development. It is also associated with later use of other illicit drugs and drug dependence. The earlier adolescents start using marijuana, the more likely they are to become dependent on it or other illicit drugs. Regular use of marijuana apparently is at least as damaging to the users' health as regular use of tobacco, and adolescents who use marijuana weekly are nearly four times more likely than nonusers to report engaging in violent behavior. Legitimate health claims have been made for THC, the primary active chemical in marijuana, but it is available in prescription medicine; as a smoked product, marijuana has never proven to be medically beneficial. Marijuana has been the most widely used illicit drug among high school seniors for decades. Further, marijuana contributes to behaviors that harm others, including the user's children. Parents can effectively intervene to prevent their children from experimenting with marijuana. Although its use is illegal, the response of the criminal justice system is to provide treatment and prevention measures for users, not imprisonment.
Affiliation :
USA