Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and Oakland County Health Division officials are calling attention to the harmful effects of recreational marijuana use in any form. The Health Division has updated its website with additional information about marijuana for residents, including parents and youth, about the negative health effects of the drug. It also offers an overview of current marijuana laws in Michigan.
This online resource provides facts to better understand and address marijuana use, and will be regularly updated to address emerging issues, research, and prevention tools. For additional information visit www.oakgov.com/health.
“Today’s marijuana represents a growing and significant threat to public health and safety,” Patterson said. “Whether it’s legal will not change the fact that individuals can become addicted to it, especially our youth who are even more at risk for addiction.”
Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States, with 37.6 million users in the past year. About 1 in 10 marijuana users will become addicted. For people who begin using before the age of 18, that number rises to 1 in 6. Its use may have a wide range of health effects on the body and brain.
“Marijuana use comes with consequences that can impact an individual’s mental and physical health,” said Dr. Russell Faust, medical director for the Oakland County Health Division. “Research shows marijuana use directly affects the brain, specifically the areas responsible for memory, learning, attention, and reaction time.”
Additional health effects of marijuana use include:
• Respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, emphysema, and bronchial asthma.
• Anxiety, depression, schizophrenia.
• Increased heart rate.
• Hallucinations, delusions, and/or psychosis (when taken in high doses).
“With increased access, children and young adults are especially vulnerable to the hurtful effects of marijuana as their brains aren’t fully developed until the age of 25,” said Leigh-Anne Stafford, health officer for Oakland County Health Division. “These effects may last a long time or even be permanent, and could greatly affect their overall health and future.”
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, most people use drugs for the first time as teenagers, and more than half of new illicit drug users begin with marijuana. In 2017, daily marijuana use exceeded daily cigarette use among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders nationwide. This is the first year in which daily marijuana use exceeded daily cigarette use among 8th graders.
“I urge residents to learn about the negative effects of marijuana use before the November midterm election that includes a proposal to legalize the possession and use of recreational marijuana for residents 21 years or older,” Patterson said.
For up-to-date public health information, find Public Health Oakland on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter @publichealthOC, or call the Health Division’s Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533.
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