Miller, Norman S. and Ipeku, Redon and Oberbarnscheidt, Thersilla
(2020)
A Review of Cases of Marijuana and Violence.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 (5).
p. 1578.
ISSN 1660-4601
Abstract
Marijuana is the most consumed illicit drug in the world, with over 192 million users. Due to the current legalization push of marijuana in the United States, there has been a lack of oversight regarding its public health policies, as marijuana advocates downplay the drug’s negative effects. This paper’s approach is from a public health perspective, focusing specifically on the cases of violence amongst some marijuana users. Here, we present 14 cases of violence with chronic marijuana users that highlight reoccurring consequences of: marijuana induced paranoia (exaggerated, unfounded distrust) and marijuana induced psychosis (radical personality change, loss of contact with reality). When individuals suffering from pre-existing medical conditions use marijuana in an attempt to alleviate their symptoms, ultimately this worsens their conditions over time. Although marijuana effects depend on the individual’s endocannabinoid receptors (which control behavioral functions, like aggression) and the potency level of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the drug, scientifically documented links between certain marijuana users and violence do exist. Wider public awareness of the risks and side effects of marijuana, as well as a more prudent health policy, and government agency monitoring of the drug’s composition, creation, and distribution, are needed and recommended.
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Details
| Item Type: |
Article
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| Status: |
Published |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| Date: |
29 February 2020 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Journal or Publication Title: |
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |
| Volume: |
17 |
| Number: |
5 |
| Publisher: |
MDPI AG |
| Page Range: |
p. 1578 |
| DOI or Unique Handle: |
10.3390/ijerph17051578 |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Medicine > Psychiatry |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
marijuana, cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol, thc, violence, law, paranoia, delusions, psychosis, public policies |
| ISSN: |
1660-4601 |
| Official URL: |
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17051578 |
| Article Type: |
Review |
| Date Deposited: |
03 Jun 2022 14:07 |
| Last Modified: |
03 Jun 2022 14:07 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/43079 |
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