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Neurological Effects of Marijuana

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Neurological Effects of Marijuana
Abstract

This paper is a study of the psychological aspect of marijuana. The paper attempts to determine the long term psychological and neurological effects of marijuana and if those effects will have a lasting negative impression on society. The paper looks at an fMRI test of neurologically activity of frequent marijuana smokers as they complete different tasks. It will also examine the neurological and psychological condition of teenagers, some who smoke pot and some who don’t, to show marijuana affects the developing brain. We also look at the relation between psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and marijuana as a causal factor. We attempt to determine through these cases if marijuana is leaving a negative impression on our society. In conclusion we find that there are too many discrepancies and conflicts in the data available and it is too hard to say what marijuana will do to our society, however marijuana is not doing much positive for our society.

Marijuana: lasting psychological effects on society

Introduction Background
The recreational use of marijuana has become an almost mainstream part of our society today, so mainstream in fact that 16.8% of Canadians older than 15 use it. In government, the debate to legalize marijuana has long gone back and forth yet never coming to a conclusion. But in this debate is the government really examining the psychological effects of the drug, or are they just concerned with the money aspect. In one study of the neuropsychological effects of marijuana it was concluded that “The low dose produced generalized impairment of all mental processes (concept formation, memory, tactile form discrimination and motor function).” The research question of this essay is “Are the short and long term neuropsychological effects of marijuana severe enough to leave lasting impressions on our society?” Purpose
The thesis of this essay is “the neuropsychological effects of marijuana are very apparent through



References: Kanayama, G., Rogowska, J., Pope, H., Gruber, S., & Yurgelun-Todd, D. (2004, November 15). Spatial working memory in heavy cannabis users: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Psychopharmacology, 176(3/4), 239-247. Retrieved April 4, 2009, doi:10.1007/s00213-004-1885-8 Murray, R., Morrison, P., Henquet, C., & Di Forti, M. (2007, November). Cannabis, the mind and society: the hash realities. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 8(11), 885-895. Retrieved April 4, 2009, doi:10.1038/nrn2253 Harvey, M., Sellman, J., Porter, R., & Frampton, C. (2007, May). The relationship between non-acute adolescent cannabis use and cognition. Drug & Alcohol Review, 26(3), 309-319. Retrieved April 4, 2009, doi:10.1080/09595230701247772 Reading, R. (2004, November). Causal association between cannabis and psychosis: examination of the evidence. Child: Care, Health & Development, 30(6), 730-731. Retrieved April 6, 2009, doi:10.1111/j.1365-2214.2004.00483_4.x Myerscough, R. Taylor, S (1985, December) The effects of marijuana on human physical aggression. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Vol 49(6), Dec 1985, 1541-1546. Retrieved April 7, 2009 from PsycNET.

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