Debunking Marijuana Myths
The decades-long national debate about the legalization of marijuana has caused there to be a tug-of-war battle between what is true about the drug and what is misunderstood.
Like any other legalized substance, marijuana presents potential health risks to the user and has the tendency and ability to be misused. The National Institute on Drug Abuse hosts an annual National Alcohol and Drugs Facts Week to promote evidence-based facts about substances which explain the risks of using substances, whether they are legal to use or not. Explicit knowledge gives a person the ability and autonomy to make an appropriate decision for themselves.
To promote the National Alcohol and Drugs Facts Week this March 18-24, 2024, below are facts about marijuana that will squash the substance’s common myths and misconceptions.
Myth: Marijuana is healthy to use because it is a plant/it is natural
Fact: The mind-altering chemical in marijuana called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) adjusts the brain and body’s functions that are likely to jeopardize a person’s health and quality of life. THC causes memory loss, impairs learning, slows down reaction time, and interferes with problem solving. (NIDA). A person who is under the influence of marijuana will have difficulty making safe decisions during dangerous or potentially-dangerous situations. THC also disturbs hormone production and increases a person’s blood pressure and heart rate (NIDA). Imbalanced hormones, high blood pressure, and a prolonged increase in heart rate can lead to substantial disorders and diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, and anxiety.
Myth: Marijuana makes the body relax
Fact: In some users, marijuana can cause an episode of acute psychosis. Being in a state of psychosis means that a person is not in control or in touch with reality. Frequent use of marijuana (daily or near-daily) puts a person at risk for persistent psychosis and/or schizophrenia (NLM). Marijuana can also increase a person’s heart rate by up to 2x their normal state. This can lead to an increase in anxiety and paranoia that can last until after the immediate effects of the marijuana use have worn off. Using more marijuana to reduce those lasting symptoms will create a cycle of use that can deteriorate a person’s health and lead to addiction.
Myth: Marijuana is not addictive
Fact: THC is an addictive chemical. The potency (amount of THC in a marijuana product) is drastically increasing. THC levels in today’s marijuana are more than 3x the amount that they were in the 1990’s (Addiction Center). Marijuana products two decades ago had about 4% THC and today’s products have more than 12%. As the level of THC increases in a product, the side effects, symptoms, and likelihood of addiction also increase.
Myth: A person can still drive under the influence of marijuana
Fact: Driving while under the influence of marijuana is dangerous and illegal. Because marijuana worsens a person’s coordination and reaction time, complex tasks such as driving become more difficult to complete. According to the Illinois Secretary of State, a person can be convicted of a DUI with a THC content of 5 or more nanograms per milliliter of whole blood, or 10 or more nanograms per milliliter of other bodily substances. This applies for medical and recreational use of marijuana. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to have any THC content in their system while driving.
Please visit and follow along with the following organization’s research and information surrounding marijuana and other drugs.
Written by
Abby Finch
Prevention Educator at Mutual Ground
