NYT: As America’s Marijuana Use Grows, So Do the Harms
Friday, October 4th, 2024
Marijuana, Cannibis sativa
The New York Times reported the following:
As America’s Marijuana Use Grows, So Do the Harms
The drug, legal in much of the country, is widely seen as nonaddictive and safe. For some users, these assumptions are dangerously wrong.
October 4, 2024
In midcoast Maine, a pediatrician sees teenagers so dependent on cannabis that they consume it practically all day, every day — “a remarkably scary amount,” she said.
From Washington State to West Virginia, psychiatrists treat rising numbers of people whose use of the drug has brought on delusions, paranoia and other symptoms of psychosis.
And in the emergency departments of small community hospitals and large academic medical centers alike, physicians encounter patients with severe vomiting induced by the drug — a potentially devastating condition that once was rare but now, they say, is common. “Those patients look so sick,” said a doctor in Ohio, who described them “writhing around in pain.”
As marijuana legalization has accelerated across the country, doctors are contending with the effects of an explosion in the use of the drug and its intensity. A $33 billion industry has taken root, turning out an ever-expanding range of cannabis products so intoxicating they bear little resemblance to the marijuana available a generation ago. Tens of millions of Americans use the drug, for medical or recreational purposes — most of them without problems.
But with more people consuming more potent cannabis more often, a growing number, mostly chronic users, are enduring serious health consequences.
The accumulating harm is broader and more severe than previously reported. And gaps in state regulations, limited public health messaging and federal restraints on research have left many consumers, government officials and even medical practitioners in the dark about such outcomes.
Again and again, The New York Times found dangerous misconceptions.
Many users believe, for instance, that people cannot become addicted to cannabis. But millions do.
About 18 million people — nearly a third of all users ages 18 and up — have reported symptoms of cannabis use disorder, according to estimates from a unique data analysis conducted for The Times by a Columbia University epidemiologist. That would mean they continue to use the drug despite significant negative effects on their lives. Of those, about three million people are considered addicted.
The estimates are based on responses to the 2022 U.S. national drug use survey from people who reported any cannabis consumption within the previous year. The results are especially stark among 18- to 25-year-olds: More than 4.5 million use the drug daily or near daily, according to the estimates, and 81 percent of those users meet the criteria for the disorder.
“That means almost everybody that uses it every day is reporting problems with it,” said Dr. Wilson Compton, deputy director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, who was not involved in the analysis. “That is a very clear warning sign.”
Marijuana is known for soothing nausea. But for some users, it has the opposite effect.
“Why don’t more doctors know about it? Why didn’t anyone ever mention it to me?” …
Debilitating and Undiagnosed
A telltale sign of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is that heat often temporarily relieves the nausea and vomiting. Hundreds of people recounted to The Times, in interviews and survey responses, that they had spent hour after hour in hot baths and showers. Some were burned by scalding water. One teenager was injured when, in desperation, he pressed his body against a hot car.
Researchers don’t know why heat soothes the syndrome, known as C.H.S., nor why certain chronic marijuana users develop it and others don’t. But the onset appears to be related to the way marijuana interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, a network of signaling molecules and receptors that help regulate vital functions like sleep, digestion and the perception of pain. People with severe symptoms frequently require emergency care. …
In recent years, the syndrome has received growing attention in the medical field. Among those who speak out about it is Dr. Ethan Russo, a neurologist in Vashon, Wash., who helped develop one of the few cannabis-derived drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and continues to research therapeutic benefits of marijuana.
“I spent most of the last 30 years supporting medicinal uses of cannabis,” he said. “However, I have also talked about the harms and pitfalls of cannabis, specifically cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. It’s a serious problem and a genuine reason that some people should not use.”
‘Like He Was Possessed’
Dr. Sharon Levy, chief of addiction medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital, had a patient who believed coat hangers and sneakers had come to life. Dr. Luke Archibald, an addiction psychiatrist at Dartmouth Health in Lebanon, N.H., treated one who was charged with trespassing after following the directions of voices he hallucinated.
Many physicians said that they have seen growing numbers of patients with cannabis-induced temporary psychosis — lasting hours, days or even months. While it is more common among younger consumers, it can afflict people of all ages, whether heavy or first-time users, and with or without a family history or other risk factors for psychosis.
Dr. Levy and other physicians have also seen a rise in chronic psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, in which they believe cannabis was a contributing factor. As America’s Marijuana Use Grows, So Do the Risks – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Well, harms associated with the use of marijuana have always been there.
Despite what the pro-marijuana forces claim, marijuana is not healthy.
I used to tell patients who asserted that 20,000 or so studies showed that marijuana was beneficial, that no, that was not the case.
I basically told them that while a few studies found that marijuana helped some with anxiety, etc., that 1) there were safer and better ways to treat that and 2) most health studies found harm with marijuana.
THC (which stands for tetrahydrocannabinol) is the chemical that causes the “high” that goes along with marijuana consumption.
The so-called ‘health benefits’ of intoxifying marijuana (and I am not referring to CBD oil, which have little or no THC) are over stated by many and basically not really true (though it is true that those who are ‘high’ feel less physical pains–but other substances can do this without the making one ‘high’).
Intentionally breathing in smoke and/or simply swallowing mind altering hallucinogenic substances is not healthy.
People should NOT smoke marijuana nor eat it. It has many negative effects on the human body.
Short-term bodily effects of marijuana, Cannibis sativa
Many studies have shown that marijuana is frequently addictive and harmful.
The State of California hoped that it would make a lot of money because of marijuana, as did many California cities. However, in California at least, legalizing it has not brought in the vast amounts of tax revenues many claimed it would.
The Bible warns:
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:10)
Notice what the National Institute of Health says about marijuana:
How Does Marijuana Affect the Brain?
When marijuana is smoked, THC rapidly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream, which carries the chemical to the brain and other organs throughout the body. It is absorbed more slowly when ingested in food or drink.
However as it is ingested, THC acts on specific molecular targets on brain cells, called cannabinoid receptors. These receptors are ordinarily activated by chemicals similar to THC that naturally occur in the body (such as anandamide; see picture, above) and are part of a neural communication network called the endocannabinoid system. This system plays an important role in normal brain development and function.
The highest density of cannabinoid receptors is found in parts of the brain that influence pleasure, memory, thinking, concentration, sensory and time perception, and coordinated movement. Marijuana overactivates the endocannabinoid system, causing the “high” and other effects that users experience. These effects include altered perceptions and mood, impaired coordination, difficulty with thinking and problem solving, and disrupted learning and memory.
Marijuana also affects brain development, and when it is used heavily by young people, its effects on thinking and memory may last a long time or even be permanent. A recent study of marijuana users who began using in adolescence revealed substantially reduced connectivity among brain areas responsible for learning and memory. And a large long-term study in New Zealand showed that people who began smoking marijuana heavily in their teens lost an average of 8 points in IQ between age 13 and age 38. Importantly, the lost cognitive abilities were not fully restored in those who quit smoking marijuana as adults. Those who started smoking marijuana in adulthood did not show significant IQ declines.
What Are the Other Health Effects of Marijuana?
Marijuana use may have a wide range of effects, particularly on cardiopulmonary and mental health.
Marijuana smoke is an irritant to the lungs, and frequent marijuana smokers can have many of the same respiratory problems experienced by tobacco smokers, such as daily cough and phlegm production, more frequent acute chest illness, and a heightened risk of lung infections. One study found that people who smoke marijuana frequently, but do not smoke tobacco, have more health problems and miss more days of work than those who don’t smoke marijuana, mainly because of respiratory illnesses. It is not yet known whether marijuana smoking contributes to risk for lung cancer.
Marijuana also raises heart rate by 20-100 percent shortly after smoking; this effect can last up to 3 hours. In one study, it was estimated that marijuana users have a 4.8-fold increase in the risk of heart attack in the first hour after smoking the drug. This risk may be greater in older individuals or in those with cardiac vulnerabilities.
A number of studies have linked chronic marijuana use and mental illness. High doses of marijuana can produce a temporary psychotic reaction (involving hallucinations and paranoia) in some users, and using marijuana can worsen the course of illness in patients with schizophrenia. A series of large studies following users across time also showed a link between marijuana use and later development of psychosis. This relationship was influenced by genetic variables as well as the amount of drug used, drug potency, and the age at which it was first taken—those who start young are at increased risk for later problems.
Associations have also been found between marijuana use and other mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts among adolescents, and personality disturbances, including a lack of motivation to engage in typically rewarding activities. More research is still needed to confirm and better understand these linkages.
Marijuana use during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of neurobehavioral problems in babies. Because THC and other compounds in marijuana mimic the body’s own endocannabinoid chemicals, marijuana use by pregnant mothers may alter the developing endocannabinoid system in the brain of the fetus. Consequences for the child may include problems with attention, memory, and problem solving.
Additionally, because it seriously impairs judgment and motor coordination, marijuana contributes to risk of injury or death while driving a car. A recent analysis of data from several studies found that marijuana use more than doubles a driver’s risk of being in an accident. The combination of marijuana and alcohol is worse than either substance alone with respect to driving impairment.
Inhaling or ingesting marijuana basically makes someone drunk.
The Bible repeatedly condemns drunkenness and activities associated with it:
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18)
21 For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty. (Proverbs 23:21)
11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner — not even to eat with such a person. (1 Corinthians 5:11)
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. (Romans 13:13-14)
Becoming intoxicated by marijuana is sinful and not something that Christians should do.
Back in 2014, the Continuing Church of God put out the following video on our Bible New Prophecy YouTube channel.
There is a growing trend to increase the legalization and public acceptance of smoking or ingesting marijuana. Is this something that Christians should do? What has US President Barack Obama said and done related to marijuana? What does the White House website state? Is marijuana no less dangerous than alcohol? Is marijuana safe? What are the affects of marijuana? Are there health risks? What about ‘medical marijuana’? What does the Bible teach about mental intoxication?
Here is a link to our video: How Should a Christian View Marijuana?
54 years ago, the old Worldwide Church of God published the following related to marijuana:
Are Good Results Produced?
The old saying is that “the proof of the pudding is in the eating.” Are there concrete beneficial fruits produced by marijuana? What does it actually do to, or for, a person? Does it make him a more productive member of society? How does it affect the user? Are those effects desirable?
Here are 27 typical reactions due to use of marijuana. They were excerpted from statements made about the drug from users. All of you who are using marijuana or thinking of using it — please read carefully.
Any sound-minded person will see that NOT ONE OF these effects is desirable.
1. Marijuana makes me unable to operate normally — for instance, drive a car or operate a machine.
2. It slows me down quite a bit and I lost my initiative when I started to use marijuana.
3. I feel stubborn and get into arguments when I am high.
4. I get into a panic.
5. It makes me sleepy, lazy.
6. Marijuana makes me too generous. I gave away everything I had; for example, I would buy drinks for everybody in the bar, etc.
7. I did not take things seriously anymore after starting the use of marijuana.
8. After starting on marijuana, I withdrew into a shell and would not communicate with people. I lost my job because I could not communicate with my boss.
9. Marijuana made me lazy, and I could not hold a job after starting to use it.
10. I got arrested for lots of things when I was high -curfew violations and rape.
11. I did about fifteen drugstore robberies with a partner for narcotics. We used to get high on marijuana beforehand.
12. It makes me weak, passive and paranoid, but I don’t get into trouble. I just want to be left alone where I don’t think people are spying on me.
13. It made me drop out of school and I lost a couple of jobs because I was late and would take off early. The three of us got into a bad fight once when we were high on marijuana.
14. I got an inferiority complex and wanted to stay away from society, but I never got into trouble.
15. Makes me silly; everything I do or say or hear is funny.
16. Sometimes it makes me happy and sometimes sad — mostly sad.
17. Makes me happy-go-lucky and I do not care about anything.
18. It relieves me and makes me gay — sort of blocks my thinking.
19. After I started to use marijuana, I quit school and did not want to work. I beat up my wife several times when I was high. It makes me feel happy and expands my perceptiveness.
20. In driving, you might think you are going 60 if you are only going 30.
21. I thought I was better at music and typing in high school but it was not so — I flunked out.
22. It made my throat raw and I had hallucinations, that is, I kept trying to brush a spider off my shoulder. I usually saw bugs and things like that after only one cigarette. I lost my equilibrium and could not stand up.
23. If you are only going 20 miles an hour you think you are going much faster.
24. It made me want to go off alone and watch TV. I could see hidden meanings in the commercials.
25. It slowed me down so much I had to drop out of school.
26. Marijuana slowed me down too much, so I started using pills to stimulate me.
27. What used to bother me was it numbed my brain and I could not think right. I could not drive well. (New Facts About Marijuana. Ambassadir College Press, 1970)
Marijuana is not good for Christians. Notice also from the same booklet:
Psychotic Reactions
A psychosis is far worse than a mere “personality disorder” — a psychosis is a severe mental derangement. And it is charged that marijuana can generate — or can at least precipitate — a psychotic reaction.
Many scientific papers have been published on the relationship between the cannabis drugs and psychoses. Psychiatrists in India, Morocco, Egypt, and Nigeria have repeatedly emphasized that marijuana can produce insanity.
In his editorial in the March 14, 1968 issue of Science, Philip H. Abelson wrote:“The inconclusive information about marijuana is not reassuring. . . . Some of the effects of marijuana seem reminiscent of LSD. Large doses may produce con fusion, disorientation, and increased anxiety and psychoses lasting hours or sometimes weeks. In the Middle East habitual use of marijuana leads to cannabis psychosis whose victims are reminiscent of the derelicts of skid row.”
In Western scientific circles much controversy has arisen over the possible psychotogenic effects of marijuana.
And, obviously, there are differences of opinion among even the experts. But what sane person would gamble his mental health — and his entire future-on “somebody’s opinion”?
We know the adverse effects of marijuana depend to a large degree upon the individual user. Therefore, it is probable that marijuana would cause psychotic reactions in persons with unstable or poorly organized personalities.
Now nobody likes to admit that his or her personality is poorly organized. Everybody naturally likes to think of himself as mentally stable.
Well, just ponder this one point: studies have shown that most people who take drugs have a somewhat poorly organized personality to begin with. That’s why they take drugs. That’s why drugs appeal to them. They lack something in their lives — and they hope drugs will supply it. So, the simple fact that a person wants to use drugs should immediately suggest that that person could very well have a poorly organized personality, and, therefore, be vulnerable to an irreparable psychotic reaction. (New Facts About Marijuana. Ambassadir College Press, 1970)
Christians should not ingest or smoke marijuana (this differs from hemp protein, which is not mind altering, and is normally fine).
The increased use of marijuana is not good.
Update 10/14/24: We just uploaded the following related video:
Does marijuana cause harm?
Many consider that the use of marijuana is both safe and non-addictive. Is that so? The New York Times reported that since the legalization of the drug across much of the USA, that there have been increases in physical and mental disorders among users of cannabis products. Modern marijuana is often more potent than what many used last century . “About 18 million people — nearly a third of all users ages 18 and up — have reported symptoms of cannabis use disorder.” Did you know that among 18- to 25-year-old Americans, more than 4.5 million use the drug daily or near daily, according to the estimates, and 81 percent of those users meet the criteria for the disorder?“ That means almost everybody that uses it every day is reporting problems with it,” said Dr. Wilson Compton, deputy director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Marijuana can interfere with brain development, cause lung and heart problems, and result in having a psychosis. Is knowledge of problems with marijuana known or did the old Worldwide Church of God warn of them 54 years ago? Should Christians get drunk or high? Are there more problems with marijuana than many seem to want to admit? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie address these issues.
Here is a link to our video: Does marijuana cause harm?
There are more problems with marijuana than many wish to accept.
It is nice that the New York Times has finally decided to report that.
Some items of possibly related interest include:
Marijuana: Should a Christian Get High? There is increasing acceptance of the use of marijuana. How should Christians view this? Here is a related video titled How Should a Christian View Marijuana?
Should Christians Smoke (or Chew) Tobacco or Marijuana? Is smoking a sin? What does the Bible teach? What have COG leaders written? Can smokers change? What about marijuana? Here is a link to a related video: Should You Smoke? Would You Like Help to Quit?
Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
When You Sin: Do You Really Repent? This is an article by Charles F. Hunting. A related sermon is Confess to God and truly repent.
Living as a Christian: How and Why? In what ways do Christians live differently than others. What about praying, fasting, tithing, holy days, and the world? There is also a YouTube video related to that also called: Living as a Christian: How and Why?
Overcoming Sin What is sin? How are Christians suppose to overcome it? Here is also a link to a video titled How to Overcome Sin.
How to Prevent Sin This is an article by Herbert W. Armstrong.
Just What Do You Mean Conversion? Many think that they are converted Christians. But are they? Would you like to know more about conversion. Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.
