One man sees weeds, other see art. Who is right? (at Lacey Creek)

Weed or Marihuana—which can also be called cannabis, pot, or dope—refers to the dried flowers, leaves, stems, and seeds of the cannabis plant. The cannabis plant contains more than 100 compounds (or cannabinoids). These compounds include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is impairing or mind-altering, as well as other active compounds, such as cannabidiol (CBD). CBD is not impairing, meaning it does not cause a “high”.

Marijuana is the most commonly used federally illegal drug in the United States, with an estimated 48.2 million people using it in 2019.2 Marijuana use may have a wide range of health effects on the body and brain. Click on the sections below to learn more about how marijuana use can improve your health and for its medical use you need to fill in a pre-qualification form before you consult a medical marijuana doctor.

Marijuana use directly affects brain function — specifically the parts of the brain responsible for memory, learning, attention, decision-making, coordination, emotions, and reaction time.

What are the short-term effects of marijuana on the brain?
Recent marijuana use (defined as within 24 hours) in youth and adults has an immediate impact on thinking, attention, memory, coordination, movement, and time perception.1

What are the long-term effects of marijuana on the brain?
Marijuana affects brain development. Developing brains, such as those in babies, children, and teenagers, are especially susceptible to the harmful effects of marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Although scientists are still learning about the effects of marijuana on developing brains, studies suggest that marijuana use by mothers during pregnancy could be linked to problems with attention, memory, problem-solving skills, and behavior in their children.

Using marijuana before age 18 may affect how the brain builds connections for functions like attention, memory, and learning. Marijuana’s effects on attention, memory, and learning may last a long time or even be permanent, but more research is needed to fully understand these effects. Youth who use marijuana may not do as well in school and may have trouble remembering things.