In an August 2019 article by The Associated
Press, Health and Human Services Secretary, Alex Azar, and Surgeon General,
Jerome Adams, called today’s marijuana “a dangerous drug” and issued a
nation-wide warning against its use by adolescents and pregnant women. Marijuana
has grown into a $10-billion industry and federal officials fear that the trend
toward legalization for medicinal and recreational use in more states may make
it easier and more enticing for teenagers to try marijuana, already a commonly
used drug among youth, along with alcohol and e-cigarettes.
Scientific research shows that marijuana use
by teens carries a risk of affecting brain development, which continues into
the 20s, and frequent adolescent use is associated with changes in parts of the
brain that are involved with attention, memory, decision-making, and motivation.
Surgeon General Adams advised, “This ain’t
your mother’s marijuana” citing that the drug has become considerably stronger
with a concentration of THC, the chemical found in marijuana that leads to
psychological effects, that may be up to three times more potent than that found
in cultivated plants in previous years.
Another serious concern surrounding the change
in attitudes about marijuana pertains to its rising use among expectant
mothers. According to a 2017 study, about 7% of pregnant women reported using marijuana
to help manage morning sickness. The American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics advise women not to use
marijuana during pregnancy and to discontinue use if they find out they are
pregnant since its use may also pose a serious risk to the developing brain of
the human fetus.
To read more, visit this link to the AP News
article: https://www.apnews.com/3bfbeecf9c654c76b6037ffb4ec20188
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