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The long wait for the legalization of cannabis is finally over. At midnight on October 17, cannabis use became legal in Canada. Cannabis is now available to adults 19 years of age and older through online outlets and authorized outlets, including some Calgary co-op stores. As the number of cannabis outlets in the country increases, controversies over cannabis are also increasing.
Cannabis has now joined the ranks of topics likely to polarize people, some claiming that cannabis was a miracle cure and others considering it a deadly social evil. None of these beliefs is true since the reality lies somewhere in the middle.
Let's examine some popular beliefs about cannabis and analyze existing evidence to try to distinguish facts from fiction.
Legalization would lead to an increase in cannabis use?
About one-quarter of our population already consumes cannabis for a variety of purposes. After legalization, it is likely that cannabis use will increase slightly, based on what we learned from the state of Colorado, in the United States, where cannabis was legalized a few years ago .
The age demographics showing the highest proportion of increased cannabis use are those aged 55 and over.
Marijuana affects the structure of the brain?
Previous studies in this regard have shown mixed results. The meta-analyzes of all available research show that these effects disappear because of other confounding factors, such as simultaneous consumption of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, pre-existing differences in terms of IQ and brain size between users and non-users.
There is a possibility of damage to the development of the adolescent brain. But no conclusive evidence is available at the moment because of the lack of properly conducted studies.
Marijuana and memory problems?
In severely intoxicated people, there are reliable short-term memory deficits. But it is not clear if these effects would persist in the long run.
For some consumer groups, such as people with schizophrenia or people with schizophrenia, cannabis use is likely to be more harmful.
Because it is natural and legalized, is it safe?
All that is legal is not safe, and the same goes for cannabis. Cannabis contains over 100 active ingredients, and the actions of many of them are unknown. Cannabis has side effects, just like other drugs.
Cannabis can be addictive
Cannabis use can be addictive, resulting in decreased ability to maintain employment and maintenance of social and personal relationships.
About 10% of consumers develop an addiction as a result of regular use. Factors that increase addiction include use at a young age, long-term use, being a man, and the use of high-potency products.
Increase in the number of "high" drivers?
No evidence from Colorado and other US states legalized by cannabis allows one to say that there will be an increase in the number of "powerful" drivers. Scientists have not yet defined a clear threshold for intoxication. For long-term cannabis users, THC levels may remain high even if they stop using it for two to three days.
THC will remain in the system for 20-30 days. A person can have a very high level of cannabis and not be intoxicated. Another person may have very little blood in their blood and be heavily intoxicated, especially if they have taken it orally.
Can cannabis become more powerful?
Sixties cannabis contained about 4-6% THC. Cannabis currently available contains 30% THC. It is certainly stronger in the form of concentrates and oils.
Is CBD or Cannabidiol a miracle drug?
Many people believe that CBD is a miracle drug. CBD content is lower than current cannabis and 80% THC. There are different strains of cannabis with different proportions of these components. The effects of CBD taken in isolation are unclear due to the lack of properly conducted studies.
In conclusion, we currently have very little knowledge about the effects of cannabis in general, and in the elderly in particular. With legalization, we can hope that more systematic studies will be conducted in the coming years, giving us a better idea of the effects and side effects of cannabis, especially among the elderly.
Padmaja Genesh, with a Bachelor's degree in Medicine and Surgery as well as a Bachelor's degree in Gerontology, has spent several years teaching and working with health care agencies. A former resident of Red Deer and former member of the Red Deer Golden Circle Board of Directors, she is now an Apprenticeship Specialist at the Alzheimer Society of Calgary. Please send comments to [email protected]
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