Previously I have researched and discussed the mental and physical effects of marijuana. But what are the social effects ? There are some positives to smoking marijuana , such as making new friends and meeting new people ; however this could also be negative as marijuana is supposedly a gateway drug and can expose you to new substances. In this blog I will research some more social impacts to put towards my final product.
As previously discussed , marijuana has an impact on the brain and effects memory, but also effects concentration and causes people to have less attention.[18] A study[19] has shown that : 'adolescents who used marijuana regularly were significantly less likely than their non-using peers to finish high school or obtain a degree.' This would cause a great impact on their life as means they have limited qualifications compared to their potential if they hadn't smoked marijuana. Another impact that is very similar to this is the lack of concentration at work. Whilst at work, people had been know to lose concentration and focus themselves on something unimportant to work. 'There is no evidence that cannabis causes specific health hazards. But users are more likely to leave work without permission, spend work time on personal matters or simply daydream'.[5] This could consequently cause a decrease in the individuals pay due to the attendance decline ; and could also cause an work injury (depending on the workplace).
Marijuana can have social impacts on your life , due to the fact that it can affect your driving performance. In a review,by Kelly, Darke, and Ross [20] on the effects of marijuana when driving, studies showed that after consuming marijuana a person may be impaired in :'tracking, attention, reaction time, short-term memory, hand-eye coordination, vigilance, time and distance perception, decision making, and concentration'[21]. This lack of judgement on the road has been linked to car crashes and fatalities across the world , with a statement suggesting that : 'among 23 studies of drivers killed in car accidents in Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States, marijuana was detected in 1.4% to 37% of drivers'[21]. When driving, the effects of marijuana are enhanced by the combination of taking both alcohol and cannabis.[6]
Marijuana's mental effects have a big effect on social factors, such as family , friends and relationships. This occurs as a person who uses marijuana over a long period of time may in fact become 'uninterested in activities[22]' that they would once enjoy with their family or friends, causing them to no longer take part and seclude themselves. This may lead to further arguments due to the fact the individual has become distant. Another way in with emotional relationships can be damaged is due the 'aggression'[23] caused by marijuana and the anti-social behaviour. For example relationships can be destroyed with harmful words and the addict lashing out. However relationships can also be damaged by irresponsible behaviour such as bringing drugs into the house with young children around , and by being drowsy and not considering other peoples feelings and forgetting about commitments.
As I have been researching I have learnt that marijuana is considered to be a gateway drug, meaning that the consumer may be exposed to other drugs during this time. This may cause the individual to be involved with crime related activities due to the people they associate with, and also to gain money to fuel there habits.
[5] Dr Timms, P and Dr Atakan, Z (October 2017) Cannabis and mental health , Available at: http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/healthadvice/problemsdisorders/cannabis.aspx (Accessed: 1st November 2017).
[6]Dr Volkow, N (August 2017) Does marijuana use affect driving?, Available at: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/does-marijuana-use-affect-driving (Accessed: 7th March 2018)
[18]Volkow, N.D. (2017) How does marijuana use affect school, work, and social life?, Available at: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/how-does-marijuana-use-affect-school-work-social-life (Accessed: 29th November 2017).
[19]Silins E, Horwood LJ, Patton GC, et al. Young adult sequelae of adolescent cannabis use: an integrative analysis. Lancet Psychiatry. 2014;1(4):286-293. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(14)70307-4.
[20]Kelly, E., Darke, S. & Ross, J. (2004). A review of drug use and driving: Epidemiology, impairment, risk factor and risk perceptions. Drug and Alcohol Review 23, 319-344. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1080/09595230412331289482/abstract
[21]University Of Washington (2013) Marijuana and Driving - Research Brief , Available at: http://learnaboutmarijuanawa.org/factsheets/driving.htm (Accessed: 7th March 2018).
[22]Shaw, J. (August 2017) Emotional Effects of Marijuana Addiction, Available at: https://www.livestrong.com/article/79947-side-effects-quitting-smoking-marijuana/ (Accessed: 21st March 2018).
[23]Condron, P. Facts About Marijuana Use and Abuse , Available at: https://luxury.rehabs.com/marijuana-rehab/social-impact-and-effects-of-marijuana/ (Accessed: 21st March 2018).
As previously discussed , marijuana has an impact on the brain and effects memory, but also effects concentration and causes people to have less attention.[18] A study[19] has shown that : 'adolescents who used marijuana regularly were significantly less likely than their non-using peers to finish high school or obtain a degree.' This would cause a great impact on their life as means they have limited qualifications compared to their potential if they hadn't smoked marijuana. Another impact that is very similar to this is the lack of concentration at work. Whilst at work, people had been know to lose concentration and focus themselves on something unimportant to work. 'There is no evidence that cannabis causes specific health hazards. But users are more likely to leave work without permission, spend work time on personal matters or simply daydream'.[5] This could consequently cause a decrease in the individuals pay due to the attendance decline ; and could also cause an work injury (depending on the workplace).
Marijuana can have social impacts on your life , due to the fact that it can affect your driving performance. In a review,by Kelly, Darke, and Ross [20] on the effects of marijuana when driving, studies showed that after consuming marijuana a person may be impaired in :'tracking, attention, reaction time, short-term memory, hand-eye coordination, vigilance, time and distance perception, decision making, and concentration'[21]. This lack of judgement on the road has been linked to car crashes and fatalities across the world , with a statement suggesting that : 'among 23 studies of drivers killed in car accidents in Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States, marijuana was detected in 1.4% to 37% of drivers'[21]. When driving, the effects of marijuana are enhanced by the combination of taking both alcohol and cannabis.[6]
Marijuana's mental effects have a big effect on social factors, such as family , friends and relationships. This occurs as a person who uses marijuana over a long period of time may in fact become 'uninterested in activities[22]' that they would once enjoy with their family or friends, causing them to no longer take part and seclude themselves. This may lead to further arguments due to the fact the individual has become distant. Another way in with emotional relationships can be damaged is due the 'aggression'[23] caused by marijuana and the anti-social behaviour. For example relationships can be destroyed with harmful words and the addict lashing out. However relationships can also be damaged by irresponsible behaviour such as bringing drugs into the house with young children around , and by being drowsy and not considering other peoples feelings and forgetting about commitments.
As I have been researching I have learnt that marijuana is considered to be a gateway drug, meaning that the consumer may be exposed to other drugs during this time. This may cause the individual to be involved with crime related activities due to the people they associate with, and also to gain money to fuel there habits.
[5] Dr Timms, P and Dr Atakan, Z (October 2017) Cannabis and mental health , Available at: http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/healthadvice/problemsdisorders/cannabis.aspx (Accessed: 1st November 2017).
[6]Dr Volkow, N (August 2017) Does marijuana use affect driving?, Available at: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/does-marijuana-use-affect-driving (Accessed: 7th March 2018)
[18]Volkow, N.D. (2017) How does marijuana use affect school, work, and social life?, Available at: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/how-does-marijuana-use-affect-school-work-social-life (Accessed: 29th November 2017).
[19]Silins E, Horwood LJ, Patton GC, et al. Young adult sequelae of adolescent cannabis use: an integrative analysis. Lancet Psychiatry. 2014;1(4):286-293. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(14)70307-4.
[20]Kelly, E., Darke, S. & Ross, J. (2004). A review of drug use and driving: Epidemiology, impairment, risk factor and risk perceptions. Drug and Alcohol Review 23, 319-344. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1080/09595230412331289482/abstract
[21]University Of Washington (2013) Marijuana and Driving - Research Brief , Available at: http://learnaboutmarijuanawa.org/factsheets/driving.htm (Accessed: 7th March 2018).
[22]Shaw, J. (August 2017) Emotional Effects of Marijuana Addiction, Available at: https://www.livestrong.com/article/79947-side-effects-quitting-smoking-marijuana/ (Accessed: 21st March 2018).
[23]Condron, P. Facts About Marijuana Use and Abuse , Available at: https://luxury.rehabs.com/marijuana-rehab/social-impact-and-effects-of-marijuana/ (Accessed: 21st March 2018).
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