How marijuana use impacts the health of people under 21
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LANSING - Following its legalization for recreational use in 2018, marijuana remains a major public health concern in Michigan and a recognized contributor to health risks, according to health professionals.
Marijuana is legal only for adults 21 and older in the state, but the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services website says younger people may be more frequently around people using products that contain marijuana through social settings, advertising or among family and friends.
"Retail visibility, social media and changing attitudes can make it seem more ordinary and less risky," said Terrence Walton, the CEO of NAADAC: the Association for Addiction Professionals. "This is a big deal."
That does not mean marijuana is safe for adolescents, however. Walton said.
Availability is not the only thing that changed after legalization.
There are now a multitude of products for sale that contain marijuana or THC that many people are not aware of, according to Walton.
"Today, cannabis comes in more forms than many people realize - vapes, edibles, drinks and high THC concentrate, as well as traditional marijuana," said Walton.
In addition, there are a multitude of adverse health risks associated with its use, he said.
"Frequent use during adolescence and young adulthood raises concerns about memory, attention, learning and cannabis use disorder," said Walton.
Cannabis use disorder is another major health risk, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That's a condition where someone struggles to control marijuana use despite negative consequences.
According to the CDC website, three in 10 people - whether adolescents or adults - who use marijuana develop the disorder. However, adolescents who begin using marijuana early or frequently face a greater risk of developing it, the website notes.
"Heavy use can also be associated with serious anxiety, repeated vomiting and, for some people, psychotic symptoms," said Walton. "Risk depends on when someone starts, how often they use, how strong the product is, genetic vulnerability and their individual health."
Development and decision-making are also growing health concerns surrounding marijuana, according to Walton. According to the CDC Cannabis and Public Health website, the drug affects reaction time, coordination, perception, attention and judgement.
"That matters when someone is driving, biking or doing anything where a split-second decision counts," Walton said.
For adolescent drivers, marijuana use is especially concerning because driving requires quick thinking and developing skills that can be greatly impaired by marijuana, according to the CDC. That is dangerous not only for the driver, but also for passengers, pedestrians and other drivers.
According to a recent study in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, substance use is common among adolescent trauma patients, with marijuana and alcohol representing the most frequently detected substances.
The study by researchers at Wayne State University found that "among 2,386 adolescents (1,123 pre-legalization; 1,263 post-legalization), THC positivity increased from 19.5% to 34.4% among screened patients.
"Substance-positive youth sustain more severe injuries, are more likely to be involved in violence and have longer hospitalizations than their substance-negative peers," the study said.
The study also found that despite higher rates of THC detection and violent injury, the researchers did not find significant differences in clinical outcomes.
"These findings suggest that legalization may influence the epidemiology of adolescent trauma through behavioral and environmental pathways rather than clinical severity," the study said.
Even so, Walton said, risk perception has declined significantly among Michigan residents..
"Many young people see marijuana as relatively low-risk, in part because it is legal in many states and is often presented as a lifestyle or wellness product," said Walton.
"Legalization may also open the door to young adults who would never consider using an illegal drug, or even associating with people who use illegal drugs, but who now view marijuana as a socially acceptable and relatively low-risk substance," he said.
Walton said learning about marijuana and its impacts is important.
"We should not demonize cannabis or dismiss its risks," said Walton. "We should make sure young people have credible information and access to qualified care when they need it."