The Risks of Cannabis
Edible cannabis products are often designed to appeal to minors, despite the minimum age requirements.
April is National Cannabis Awareness Month, so we wanted to take the opportunity to give you an update on the industry and on the status of the opposition to legalized marijuana. The legal industry is still young; we know that many Chaldeans have gotten in on the ground floor, capitalizing on their shrewd business skills. But others are not happy with the new legal status.
Scientists are still learning about the benefits as well as the risks of cannabis. The CDC reports that nearly 31% of 12th graders in one study reported using marijuana in 2022, and almost 6 ½ % reported using marijuana daily. Using alcohol and marijuana at the same time will likely cause greater impairment and risk of physical harm than using either one alone.
The CDC study shows that teens who use marijuana may be less likely to graduate high school or attend college. Even more alarming, research shows that using marijuana during your teen years can cause damage to the brain, which is actively developing until around age 25. Usage may impair thinking, memory, and learning itself. Marijuana use has been linked to depression and social anxiety in adults.
While there have been studies on the effects of smoking marijuana in its natural state, we have limited data on the use of edibles. Marijuana packaging is often deceiving and appeals to young people with its graphic art and bright colors. Compounds in marijuana can be extracted to make oils and concentrates that can be vaped or inhaled. Smoking oils, wax concentrates, and extracts from the marijuana plant, known as “dabbing,” is on the rise.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found in marijuana that shows signs of helping with seizure disorder and is also used as a topical cream for pain relief. Scientists are still learning about how CBD affects the body, however, although we know it does not cause impairment and doesn’t get you “high.”
CBD is not risk-free. The FDA has limited data on its safety. There are some known side effects of its use, including liver damage, drowsiness, and changes in mood and appetite. In addition, the risks of mixing with other medications are unknown.
The Catholic Church is a powerful critic of the marijuana trade. On the Chaldean Diocese of St. Thomas the Apostle website, a statement is made about marijuana which reads in part: “The Chaldean Diocese of Saint Thomas the Apostle joins the Church at large in condemning the use of ALL drugs outside of ‘strict, therapeutic grounds.’”
Caption: Edible cannabis products are often designed to appeal to minors, despite the minimum age requirements.
