SANCA Vaal – Marijuana and Teenage Brain
In September last year, the constitution Court ruled that the personal use and private cultivation of marijuana by adult is now legal. This could mean easier access to the drug for teenagers too. While most parents wouldn’t allow their 18-year old to smoke cannabis, parents can’t control every decision their teens makes. It’s important to equip kids with the right information and teach them dangers of marijuana on the developing teenager’s brain. Several studies show link between the use of marijuana by teens and the early onset of psychosis (losing touch with reality; seeing, hearing or believing things that aren’t real) and schizophrenia (a mental disorder where people interpret reality abnormally). Although there is no evidence on how marijuana causes psychosis and schizophrenia, research shows an association between smoking it and developing the conditions in the adulthood. According to Health havard.edu, the potential cause could be THC, an active ingredient that stimulates the brain and triggers chemical reactions, leading to psychological effects. Cannabis may interfere with normal brain growth in adolescents. Researchers advise, those who tested positive in the studies may have had other underlying reasons, such as environmental and genetic risk factors.
Sources: Health. havard, edu Cambridge.org, Medical news today.com
Marijuana legalization and schools
While the constitutional court judgement makes it clear that only adults may possess, use and cultivate cannabis in a private space for personal consumption, what does this mean for schools with pupils who are 18 years or older? How far will schools be able to implement their own rules and policies in instances where learners who are 18 and older test positive for, or come to school under the influence of marijuana? Generally in terms of a school’s policies, a pupil can be disciplined for attending school under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. But with cannabis no longer being defined as an illegal drug, this may complicate matters of schools,’ says Megan Harrington-Johnson, managing partner at HJW Attorneys ‘Logically, it should remain that a learner who comes to school under the influence of any intoxicating substance can be disciplined for that action. But as pupils who are 18 and above may now consume cannabis in private, and with the effects possibly remaining in their systems for up to a week, it will be nearly impossible to determine if pupil consumed the drug on or off the premises, making it difficult to discipline accordingly,’ says Megan.
Woman & Home, January 2019
If your are addicted, visit www.sancavaal.co.za and contact us for help