Marijuana long-term effects

Regular or heavy marijuana use can lead to more serious health and lifestyle issues, including dependency.

Physical health risks

• Bronchitis, emphysema, asthma (for individuals who smoke marijuana)

• Suppression of the immune system

• Increased risk of stroke

• Increased risk of heart disease

• Dependency (addiction)

• Potential impact on fertility and reproductive health

Brain development & mental health risks

• For teens and young adults, marijuana can affect brain development, impairing memory, learning, and decision-making

• Research shows a lowered IQ if marijuana is smoked regularly during the teen years.

• Linked to increased anxiety, depression, and psychosis, especially for individuals who have pre-existing disorders like schizophrenia.

• Dependence or addiction, with withdrawal symptoms like irritability and sleep problems, when trying to quit

Everyday life impact

• Struggles with school, work, or relationships due to decreased motivation and impaired cognitive abilities

• Students who use marijuana tend to get lower grades and are more likely to drop out of high school compared with their peers who don’t use it.

• Marijuana use also is linked to substance use disorders, including addiction to alcohol and nicotine.