University Scholars Express Concerns Over Mental Health Impact of Cannabis Consumption among Young People
University scholars have voiced worries regarding the potential mental health effects of cannabis consumption among young individuals. According to Professor Yri Clement, a pharmacology expert at UWI, St. Augustine, the risk of developing schizophrenia in young men aged between 16 and 20 can be as high as one in four. Another concern raised by Professor Gerard Hutchinson is that children who start using cannabis before the age of 14 are more likely to increase their consumption as they grow older.
Disturbingly, cannabis is being shared among schoolchildren in the form of gummies or brownies, presenting a less overt means of consuming the drug while still carrying all associated risks. This issue was highlighted in February 2020 when five students from Chaguanas North Secondary School fell ill after consuming marijuana-infused brownies.
However, the concerns surrounding cannabis usage must be balanced against the legitimate applications of the drug as allowed by law. The decriminalization of recreational cannabis use has significantly reduced the number of marijuana-related cases in lower courts, streamlining the legal system.
The marijuana plant itself possesses tremendous utility, but it has been unjustly stigmatized due to its most psychoactive component, THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). Conversely, the well-known ingredient cannabidiol (CBD), which does not induce a high, has demonstrated various beneficial properties. Notably, CBD is the active ingredient in Epidiolex, the first FDA-approved marijuana derivative for treating epilepsy.
In 2022, the Cannabis Control Bill was passed into law, representing a tentative step towards decriminalizing small-scale marijuana possession (limited to 30 grams or less) and officializing its medical usage. The introduction of this legislation was viewed by politicians, including the Attorney General and acting national security minister Stuart Young, as a preliminary measure towards developing a regulated commercial industry focused on marijuana cultivation. Young emphasized the importance of local participation, advocating for more than 30 percent involvement in any cannabis-related industry. Although legal commerce has yet to gain significant momentum, it remains important to note that home-grown cannabis is not intended for sale.
Hanif Benjamin, former chairman of the Children’s Authority, issued a warning in January 2020 about the necessity of educating individuals on the consequences of legal marijuana within households with children. Benjamin specifically highlighted the dangers of secondhand smoke and the potential normalization of marijuana use within homes.
A national survey conducted in 2013 by NADAPP revealed that over a quarter of school-age children displayed curiosity about marijuana. With the growing prevalence and openly acknowledged consumption of the drug within households that legally cultivate even small quantities, it is expected that this figure has only increased. Accordingly, the warning provided by Mr. Benjamin remains relevant and must not be disregarded.
To address the relaxation of legal restrictions on marijuana, it is imperative to bridge the gap in public knowledge regarding the drug and widely disseminate appropriate cautionary information. The developing minds of children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of psychoactive substances, but knowledge serves as the most effective shield.
In conclusion, as the concerns over the mental health implications of cannabis consumption among young people continue to garner attention, scholars emphasize the need for comprehensive education on the subject. While acknowledging the potential benefits of cannabis in specific medical contexts, it is crucial to strike a balance between informed usage and safeguarding the well-being of individuals, especially the young and vulnerable.
