MARIJUANA AND E-CIGARETTES:
FACTS TEENS CAN USE TO MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES
Possible negative health effects of marijuana use
What’s the possible health risk when it comes to marijuana use? Compared to tobacco,
relatively few scientific studies have been conducted on marijuana. But it’s clear that
marijuana, like all drugs, has potential risks.
Here’s what experts are concerned about: in people up to age 25 who regularly use
marijuana, there may be long-lasting brain development impacts. For example, some
studies have found a possible decline in IQ among adolescent marijuana
1 2
users as well
as problems with memory, learning and attention, and school completion. Other studies
have shown that teens who use marijuana regularly are at higher risk of developing
depression. There is also evidence showing that marijuana use by teens may have a
slightly increased risk of developing schizophrenia.
3
Marijuana smokers tend to inhale smoke more deeply and hold their breath, which leads
to greater exposure. Heavy smoking of marijuana by anyone can cause a chronic cough,
excess phlegm, wheezing and bronchitis (inflammation of the airways). Marijuana smoke
contains many of the same chemicals as cigarette tobacco smoke.
Marijuana smoking poses a threat to those with weakened immune systems. Aspergillus
is a mold that can cause serious lung disorders and can grow on marijuana, which if then
smoked exposes the lungs to this fungus. The risk of Asperigillus infection rarely occurs in
people with healthy immune systems.
4
Studies suggest that the younger a person starts using marijuana regularly, the more
likely they are to develop a substance use disorder. It is estimated that about 1 in 10
people who use marijuana will become dependent on the drug. The more frequently
individuals use marijuana, the more likely they are to become dependent.
Marijuana affects the brain’s “reward center” in the same way as many other drugs.
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Some studies have shown that regular marijuana users experience withdrawal
symptoms for several weeks after they stop using. Withdrawal symptoms can
include anxiety, restlessness, decreased appetite, irritability and trouble sleeping.
Recently, concerns have been raised about pesticides used in marijuana cultivation, and
their potential impact on health. There’s no way to tell if the marijuana has pesticide
residue just by looking at it, and the health risks associated with inhaling pesticides
through smoking have not been adequately studied.
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In Washington, calls to the Washington Poison Control Center spiked after the drug
became legal in marijuana retail stores. Several high profile teen deaths have occurred in
Washington in the past few years where marijuana was a factor, including vehicle crashes
and falls.
There is still a lot to learn about the health impacts of marijuana. Visit Public Health’s
marijuana and health page to learn more at
.
What is marijuana?
Marijuana—also called weed, herb, pot, grass, bud, ganja, Mary Jane and other slang
terms—is a greenish-gray mixture of the dried, shredded leaves and flowers of Cannabis
sativa—the hemp plant.
The main psychoactive (mind-altering) chemical in marijuana, responsible for most of
the intoxicating effects sought by retail marijuana users, is delta-9-tetrahydro-cannabinol
(THC). The chemical is found in resin produced by the leaves and buds primarily of the
female cannabis plant. The plant also contains more than 500 other chemicals, including
over 100 compounds that are chemically related to THC, called cannabinoids.
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How people commonly use marijuana
Smoke
Smoking marijuana is the most common method of marijuana consumption. Inhaling
smoke and plant particles into your system creates inherent risks (this is why firefighters
wear masks). Additionally, other harmful chemicals can exist in the smoke or even in the
product itself.
Edibles
Edible marijuana products include candy, baked goods and teas that are infused with
THC. It is illegal under our state’s law for retailers to sell marijuana products that are
‘appealing to youth.’ They are usually stronger than the marijuana that people smoke, and
users may not feel the full effects for hours, thinking that they need more to get high.
Eating too much can result in paranoia and anxiety—some people feel so sick that they
go to the emergency room (ER).
Vape
Vaping or e-devices heat a liquid solution to produce vapor. Vaping devices are used
both for marijuana and nicotine (the product that is in cigarettes). Research about vaping
is still new and in 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration recently passed rules to
regulate their sale and use.
Vaping marijuana:
The health effects of vaping marijuana are unclear. Vaping might
decrease the amount of irritation to the lungs; however, THC concentrations in the oil
or marijuana used for vaping may be stronger and harder on the body than marijuana
smoke. Additionally, cheap vaping devices have been known to be less effective at
keeping harmful chemicals out of the smoke, or even to explode in people’s faces,
creating horrific injuries and disfigurement.
Although most drugs, including many over-the-counter medications, have
benefits, they also have potential side effects and health risks. Marijuana
products may contain unknown and possibly harmful ingredients. Effects depend
upon what age you are when you start using marijuana, how often you use and
how much you use. There may also be more adverse effects from combining
marijuana with other drugs, including alcohol.
Respiratory system
Regular marijuana
smoking may cause
breathing problems,
such as chronic
cough, excess phlegm,
wheezing and
bronchitis.
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Immune system
For those with
weakened immune
systems, marijuana
smoking can expose
them to Aspergillus, a
mold that can cause
lung disorders.
4
Nervous system
Marijuana may affect
brain development in
children and adolescents.
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Reproduction
Studies have raised
concerns regarding
neurological problems
in the developing fetus and
developmental problems in
children born to mothers who
smoke marijuana during
pregnancy. There are also
concerns related to the health
effects of smoking for both
the mother and the fetus. For
these reasons, marijuana use
should be avoided by females
who are of childbearing age,
are pregnant, breastfeeding
or trying to get pregnant.
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(American College of
Obstetricians and
Gynecologists, 2015)
1
Meier MH, Caspi A, Ambler A, et al. Persistent cannabis users show neuropsychological decline from childhood to midlife. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA
2012;109:E2657-64. doi:
” 10.1073/pnas.1206820109 - See more at:
/
factsheets/adolescents.htm” \l “sthash.auRJ9t0Y.dpuf”
2
Adolescents and Marijuana. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, University of Washington.
Accessed May 17, 2016
3
Mental Health and marijuana. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, University of Washington.
Accessed on May 17, 2016
4
M. Szyper-Kravitz, R. Lang, Y. Manor & M. Lahav (2001) Early Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in a Leukemia Patient Linked to Aspergillus
Contaminated Marijuana Smoking, Leukemia & Lymphoma, 42:6, 1433-1437
5
Marijuana’s Addictive Potential (for the general public) California Society of Addiction Medicine.
Accessed May 17, 2016
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