Current Issues

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have now issued a correction to their original report that teen marijuana use had no effect on the development of a psychotic disorder by age 36: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/marijuana-users-no-more-likely-to-experience-depression-psychosis-or-asthma-study-says-10443195.html., reveals that in fact their data showed a trend towards a 2.5-fold greater prevalence of psychotic disorders in the marijuana users, a trend which reached significance in a “one-tailed” statistical test.  Such a test is generally deemed appropriate if abundant prior studies have shown the same degree and direction of effect, as is the case here.  In their original report, they inappropriately corrected for demographic factors that overpowered the marijuana effect.  For example, they corrected for current socioeconomic status, when such status is an outcome of psychosis itself.  They also corrected for whether or not the individuals had health insurance at age 36; again, this is a factor that is most likely to be a consequence of psychosis rather than a cause, because psychotic individuals found it very difficult to maintain jobs and the attendant health insurance policies in the pre-Obamacare era.  Also note that the 2.5-fold increased risk of psychosis pertained to the low-strength marijuana more common in the 1980’s when the study began, whereas a 5-fold increase in risk is reported for the current high strength varieties: http://www.west-info.eu/skunk-increases-the-risk-of-psychosis/14tlp0454_di-forti/
 
The full length version of their published correction, which can be purchased for ~$11 online

American College of Pediatricians – September 2015
ABSTRACT: Although increasing legalization of marijuana has contributed to the growing belief that marijuana is harmless, research documents the risks of its use by youth are grave. Marijuana is addicting, has adverse effects upon the adolescent brain, is a risk for both cardio-respiratory disease and testicular cancer, and is associated with both psychiatric illness and negative social outcomes. Evidence indicates limited legalization of marijuana has already raised rates of unintended marijuana exposure among young children, and may increase adolescent use. Therefore, the American College of Pediatricians supports legislation that continues to restrict the availability of marijuana except in the context of well controlled scientific studies which demonstrate medicinal benefit together with evidence-based guidelines for optimal routes of delivery and dosing for specific medical conditions.


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Marijuana use more than doubles from 2001 to 2013; increase in use disorders too

Date:  October 21, 2015
The JAMA Network Journals
Summary:
The estimated prevalence of adults who used marijuana in the past year more than doubled in the United States between 2001 and 2013 to 9.5 percent, according to a new article. As is the case with alcohol, many individuals can use marijuana without becoming addicted. However, the clear risk for marijuana use disorders among users (approximately 30 percent) suggests that as the number of U.S. users grows, so will the numbers of those experiencing problems related to such use.
 
Full Article Read here


Excerpt
Gateway to Curiosity: Medical Marijuana Ads and Intention and Use During Middle School
(Psychology of Addictive Behaviors)
Elizabeth J. D’Amico, Jeremy N. V. Miles, and Joan S. Tucker Online First Publication, June 1, 2015.

For Full article go to… View Here

In sum, professionals “on the front line” working with adolescents (e.g., pediatricians, clinicians, educators) must begin to educate young people about medical marijuana. First, they need to provide youth with an accurate understanding of what medical marijuana is and how it is used. This means explaining to youth that there are no efficacy studies for many conditions that marijuana is routinely used to treat. Furthermore, although there is some evidence that marijuana may help with certain ailments, much larger clinical trials with more varied groups of patients are needed (Sisson, 2014). It is also important to discuss the potential harms of this drug so youth understand how the drug may affect their developing brain and how the drug can affect performance in both adolescence and adulthood. Finally, from a public health standpoint, it is crucial that we begin to address regulatory standards for this industry given that it is in the early stages; we have a unique opportunity to shape the industry practices as legislation continues to evolve. This could help decrease potentially numerous problems similar to those that have occurred with both alcohol and tobacco advertising.


 

Check out this document
 
http://nationalfamilies.org/reports/What_Will_Legal_Marijuana_Cost_Employers--Complete.pdf


 

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