Consequences of cannabis use

In 1996, the Swedish board of health and welfare asked Jan Ramstrøm, a member of the board's scientific council, to read through, evaluate and produce a review survey of the findings of research into the damage to health caused by cannabis.

The new studies have not only found statistical correlation but also causal relation between cannabis smoking and psychotic/near psychotic conditions. The interaction of cannabis with psychotic conditions is undoubtedly one of the most alarming aspects of the adverse effects of cannabis use.

If anyone believes that cannabis is a soft drug and is not harmful, they should think again - it is believed that there is a relatively strong link between some mental disorders and cannabis abuse, inasmuch as the abuse may cause the disorder, precipitate a latent mental illness or cause serious deterioration of an illness or disorder.

The list includes development of dependence, delirium, cannabis psychosis, schizophrenia, other psychoses, anxiety disorders, depersonalisation syndrome, depression and suicide, and impulsively violent behaviour.

Contrary to common belief, cannabis is one of the most psychopathogenic preparations in the light of the widespread occurrence of the use of this drug. This has serious consequences for both individuals and society.

It is worth mentioning that apart from the development of dependence itself, the opiates (like heroin) produce far fewer toxically precipitated psychiatric complications than cannabis preparations.

Long-term consequences manifest themselves in decreased ability to carry out complex thought operations, reduced ability to concentrate, decreased ability to process information, impairtment of short-term memory, reduced intellectual flexibility and ability to learn from experience, lowered ability to carry out long-term strategic planning and difficulties in expressing oneself in words in new, unfamiliar situations in which old knowledge and modes of thought are inadequate.

Regarding cannabis as a soft drug that can cause little harm is wrong. Besides being a dangerous drug, cannabis also represents a gateway to harder drugs.