Cannabis, or marijuana as it is also known, is the most commonly consumed drug worldwide. There is an ongoing debate in many countries about whether or not to legalise cannabis, but critics of legalisation have various concerns. Cannabis users can often develop a tolerance and so the ‘high’ the drug from the drug loses some impact each time it is taken. This encourages some to progress to more impactful and dangerous drugs, which can result in the need for rehab and other drug addiction treatment. Some cannabis users also develop mental and psychological issues such as paranoia, depression, and schizophrenia, while others may find their performance in school, work, and relationships negatively affected.
In this article, we will explore some of the reasons why cannabis use is so prevalent among young people and attempt to dispel some of the commonly held misconceptions about this drug.
Cannabis is cheaper than many drugs
The affordability of cannabis makes it a very appealing drug to young people who may rely on their pocket money or part-time job earnings to purchase it. Other drugs like cocaine, heroin and ecstasy are far more expensive, but a group of friends who want to experiment can all chip in together and purchase a significant amount of cannabis to share. Not only does sharing the cost make cannabis affordable, it also creates a social aspect to using the drug. It can then be difficult for an individual to stop using cannabis because of peer pressure or because they don’t have anyone else to hang out with. A group of friends may start out buying a certain amount to share each weekend, and as their dependency on the drug starts to increase, they begin buying bigger and bigger weights.
Cannabis use is becoming more socially acceptable
Especially in comparison to other drugs, cannabis use is becoming more and more socially acceptable. While it has long been glorified in youth culture, movies and music, many countries and governments are now beginning to loosen their regulations, and some have even legalised cannabis use altogether. As with alcohol and cigarettes, legalisation not only makes cannabis more readily available to young people it also legitimises its use and makes it more difficult for parents to keep their children away from it.
The effects are thought to be safe
Another reason why cannabis use is so prevalent among young people is that it is thought by many to be completely safe. Part of this comes from the history of the drug with millions of people smoking it throughout the 1960s and 70s with few reports of serious health issues. This may be in part due to a lack of scientific research at the time, and it may also be due to the fact that naturally grown cannabis is significantly less potent than the strains available today. Cannabis in the 1960s had a THC content of around 2% but today’s popular strains have been found to contain as much as 28%. There are even edibles, dabs, and other concentrated THC products for sale with as much as 95% THC. Modern strains of cannabis have been shown to cause a great deal of harm for many people and the idea that it is safe has long been disproven.
Cannabis use is easy to conceal
There are some drugs for which hiding the effects can be next to impossible. If your son or daughter was experiencing an LSD trip at the dinner table, for example, it is likely that you would be able to detect something was not right, even if you didn’t know anything about drugs. While this is not always the case, the signs of cannabis use are usually far easier to conceal than other substances. Common physical signs like bloodshot eyes, dry mouth, or increased appetite can be easily missed or attributed to other causes, while mental and psychological effects are often difficult to spot. This means that many young people are able to smoke cannabis regularly without teachers, parents, or other family members ever knowing.
For some fortunate people, cannabis use may have no serious adverse effects, but for many others, it can cause major damage to health, relationships, and many other aspects of life. Young people are at particular risk of developing a cannabis addiction, and this can affect their education, future job prospects and act as a gateway to other drugs. Fortunately, our rehab centres are available to help overcome addiction and begin their journey to a drug-free future.
