Marijuana remains one of the most popular medical and recreational drugs. As states relax their marijuana regulations, cannabis use continues to rise. The debate around marijuana continues to be politicized, with people on both ends of the spectrum arguing extreme and unsupported positions. These are some of the most common myths you’ll hear about the use of marijuana.
Myth #1: You Can’t Get Addicted to Marijuana
Approximately one in 11 users become dependent on marijuana. Any drug that affects the brain can be addictive, and marijuana is no exception. With prolonged use, some individuals can experience physical withdrawal symptoms like dizziness, headaches, and trouble sleeping. Psychological cravings can be intense and may last for weeks or months.
Myth #2: You Can’t Overdose on Marijuana
While it’s true that you cannot die directly from taking too much marijuana, it is possible to overdose, become physically ill, experience extreme anxiety, paranoia, and short-term psychosis. These effects can take several hours to go away, depending on how the cannabis was consumed. Additionally, the risk for overdose increases if you consume homemade edible products since it is usually not possible to accurately measure dosages.
Myth #3: Marijuana Leads to Crime
If this were true, everyone who has ever consumed cannabis would be behind bars or fugitives on the loose. Marijuana does not cause crime. However, there are a lot of criminals who smoke marijuana. Correlation is different from causality. Anyone is capable of committing a crime whether they smoke marijuana or not.
Myth #4: Marijuana Kills Brain Cells
This is simply not true. Marijuana may impair short-term memory in some people after chronic and long-term use, but there have been no studies that show that marijuana kills brain cells. Marijuana can be consumed safely and won’t impair the cells in your brain.
Myth #5: Marijuana is a Gateway Drug
No credible evidence shows that pot makes people more inclined to use other drugs. Indeed, most people who use opiates and other dangerous drugs have also used marijuana at some point in their lives. However, you can make the same claim about cigarettes, alcohol, caffeine, or just about any other common substance. The bottom line is that there is no evidence to support this claim.
Learn the Truth About Marijuana
Want to learn more about medical marijuana? The experts at CannaLeaf Health can help. We specialize in medical marijuana evaluations and can educate you on the proper use and consumption. Give us a call today to learn more.
