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The association between cannabis use and violent behaviour has been a subject of intense debate and research in recent years. As cannabis legalisation spreads across many Western countries, understanding this relationship becomes increasingly important for public health and policy. This article explores the current evidence on the link between cannabis use and violence, particularly among adolescents and young adults.
Multiple studies have found a moderate association between cannabis use and an increased risk of perpetrating physical violence. A meta-analysis of 30 studies, encompassing nearly 300,000 participants, found that cannabis users had approximately twice the odds of engaging in violent behaviour compared to non-users. This association remained significant even after controlling for various confounding factors.
(For complete article go to WRD News)
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Not unsurprisingly, unintended harms are emerging – not least a rise in emergency department (ED) visits for cannabis poisoning in this demographic. This article explores the data, explores the reasons behind this phenomenon, and examines the potential consequences for public health.
The Dalgarno Institute presents a synoptic introduction to this growing problem.
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The intersection of marijuana legalisation and driving safety has become a focal point of concern, with experts highlighting the challenges posed by the lag in enforcement tools and data collection following the legalisation of cannabis. While the prevalence of marijuana use has increased, particularly noticeable in the context of driving, questions surrounding road safety and impaired driving have come to the forefront. This analysis delves into the complexities surrounding marijuana use and its implications for road safety, enforcement measures, and policy development:
Road Safety Concerns
The rise in the smell of marijuana in various settings, including on roads, has raised significant concerns regarding driving safety. With the increasing normalisation of marijuana use, the potential risks associated with impaired driving have become more pronounced, leading to alarms within the community and among experts.
One of the key challenges highlighted by experts is the absence of specific data on cannabis-related crashes, particularly in regions like Long Island. The lack of comprehensive data collection mechanisms hampers efforts to understand the extent of marijuana’s impact on road safety, hindering the development of targeted interventions and policies.
Experts note that the pace of marijuana legalisation has outstripped the implementation of effective enforcement measures and policy frameworks. This discrepancy raises concerns about the adequacy of existing enforcement tools, the need for clearer guidelines on THC levels, and the overall readiness of law enforcement agencies to tackle impaired driving effectively.
Rising Impaired Crashes
Despite the lack of precise data, reports indicate an increase in impaired crashes, underscoring the urgent need for proactive measures to address the growing concerns related to marijuana use and driving. The rise in deadly impaired crashes serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of impaired driving under the influence of cannabis.
To address the enforcement challenges and policy gaps, there have been calls from Long Island DAs for tougher laws governing impaired driving. Recommendations include clearer THC guidelines, enhanced enforcement efforts, and the implementation of cannabis warning labels to raise awareness about the risks associated with marijuana use while driving.
Source: Archive
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“Because of the way that cannabis impacts driving performance — it reduces reaction time, decreases the ability to focus or pay attention to multiple events, and may increase risk-taking behaviour — people who are cannabis-impaired while driving may be driving faster, noticing hazards later, and deaccelerating slower … a recipe for getting into more severe traffic collisions and requiring higher levels of care,”
Being stoned behind the wheel can be more dangerous than driving drunk in Canada, where recreational cannabis was legalized in 2018, according to a new study.
Documented marijuana-related traffic accidents that required treatment in an emergency room rose 475% between 2010 and 2021, the study found. Car crashes due to drunk driving grew only 9.4% during the same time period, although the raw numbers of alcohol-related accidents was in the thousands, not the hundreds as with cannabis.
“The concern is that the increase in these rare but very severe traffic injuries are capturing broader trends of increasing cannabis-impaired driving over time and after legalization,” said study author Dr. Daniel Myran, assistant professor of family medicine at the University of Ottawa.
Just after Canadian legalization in 2018, when marijuana stores and products were limited, researchers found a 94% increase in emergency room visits, Myran said. As commercialization increased and marijuana was more widely available, visits to the emergency room grew 233% compared to the period before recreational weed was legalized.
“The main message of this very well-conducted study is not the absolute number of crashes, but the increased rates. Cannabis is also probably under-reported in car crashes, and so the absolute number might be way higher,” said Dr. Marco Solmi, associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Ottawa and investigator at Ottawa Hospital Research Institute in Canada. He was not involved in the study.
Not Just a Canadian Problem
While the new study was specific to Canada, the problem is happening around the world in areas where recreational cannabis use is legal, according to a recent “umbrella review” of more than 100 clinical trials and meta-analyses on the pros and cons of marijuana.
“The general perception of cannabis as a ‘natural’ harmless plant is probably misleading young subjects that end up consuming high THC products, with untoward events including car crashes,” said Solmi, who coauthored the review, via email.
THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the part of the cannabis plant that produces a “high.”
“In addition to car crashes, persons using cannabis are at increased risk of poor cognitive performance — which might contribute to car crash and failing education — and a risk of mental disorders,” Solmi said.
Driving under the influence of alcohol has been on the decline in the United States, but the last National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report from 2014 found a 48% increase in drivers testing positive for marijuana. An updated report from the NHTSA is expected in 2024.
The 2016 Drug and Alcohol Crash Risk Study found marijuana was the most frequently detected drug other than alcohol; in addition, people using cannabis were more likely to be involved in crashes.
Car crashes involving weed were serious. In marijuana-involved accidents, nearly 90% of the victims arrived by ambulance, the study found. When no alcohol or cannabis was involved, the number of people that required an ambulance dropped to 40%. In addition, nearly 50% of marijuana users in a car accident required hospital admission, compared to just over 6% of those who did not use.
Intensive care admissions were also higher. Nearly 22% of accidents involving those driving while stoned needed intensive care, compared to just less than 2% of crashes without alcohol or cannabis involvement, according to the study published Wednesday in the journal JAMA Network Open.
(For complete story go to CNN Health)
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The relationship between cannabis use and its potential connection to youth self-harm has drawn increasing attention, with a recent report from The Center Square shedding light on the warning signs and concerns surrounding marijuana consumption among adolescents. By citing national studies, local statistics, and insights from experts, the article delves into the impact of cannabis on mental health, specifically the risks associated with increased thoughts of suicide and self-harm behaviors among young individuals. Here are key insights extracted from the report:
Warning Signs in McHenry County
McHenry County in Illinois has taken proactive measures to address the potential risks associated with cannabis use, particularly in relation to mental health issues and suicidal ideation among youth. Dispensaries in the county are required to prominently display warning signs that highlight the potential links between cannabis consumption and mental health problems, including psychotic disorders like schizophrenia, increased thoughts of suicide, anxiety, and depression. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the risks posed by cannabis use, especially among vulnerable age groups.
Growing Concerns and Testimonials
Experts, such as Will Jones from Smart Approaches to Marijuana, have expressed growing concerns about the impact of cannabis on youth mental health and the reported increase in suicide cases linked to marijuana use. Jones highlighted testimonies from suicide victims attributing their actions to cannabis, emphasising the need for heightened awareness and preventive strategies to address this concerning trend. The testimonies reveal the distressing narratives of individuals who associate their mental health struggles and self-harm tendencies with cannabis consumption.
The report underscores the impact of marijuana legalisation on youth suicide rates and emergency health incidents related to cannabis use. States that have legalised marijuana have witnessed significant spikes in emergency calls related to children’s cannabis exposure, signalling a pressing public health issue that demands attention. Incidents of Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) and fatal car crashes involving marijuana impairment have also surged in tandem with cannabis legalisation, pointing to the multifaceted consequences of widespread cannabis availability.
Source: WRDNews