Recently, marijuana has come under fire as some states either legalized or penalized its usage. As always, like other moral issues, advocates of the drug justify it on grounds that it can help them perform better in several situations in a manner that they cannot without daily dosage. Others argue that it has damaging effects on the brain. Therefore, in case you come across an addict or happen to be an addict yourself, here are a few misconceptions about marijuana that are debunked by experts.

Marijuana can take away your stress and anxiety

Addicts justify smoking weed on grounds that it helps them cope better with situations that trigger stress and anxiety. There are conflicting views that marijuana can be used as a ‘gateway drug’. According to studies, marijuana addicts tend to use other drugs too to cope with unpleasant circumstances; however, other researchers claim that marijuana is not linked with usage of other drugs.

If you are taking marijuana to cope with tough situation, you are more likely to use other substances as well. This is because you grow accustomed to drug usage and become more comfortable. You grow more comfortable with using marijuana as a means to cope with negative feelings.

Marijuana is not good medicine

Advocates of marijuana state that marijuana is less harmful than other drugs and there is no harm in using it sometimes.  Marijuana is thought to be less harmful than alcohol or tobacco. There is misinformation that if marijuana is good medicine, it is safe for recreational purposes too. To say that repeated abuse of marijuana has no effects on the brain and does not cause addiction is WRONG. Marijuana can trap you in a state where you want more of it or other drugs. Tens of thousands of people die every year from drug abuse.

Marijuana is common among teenagers. During these years, the adolescent brain is still developing, which is why teenagers tend to be impulsive. Marijuana use can profoundly affect the way your brain develops. Addiction in not just dependence on substances, it’s also how your brain functioning is affected and how it changes your behaviour and judgment.

Marijuana usage is temporary

The younger the person is when he starts smoking marijuana, the higher the chances of the person continuing to smoke pot in adulthood. Research shows that 62 percent people who started marijuana before turning 15 were more likely to continue using cocaine.

Marijuana is safe for recreation

Marijuana can cause serious health problems. It contains over 400 chemicals, including 60 cannaboids. Smoking marijuana can leave five times more tar in your lungs than tobacco. Marijuana also has 70 percent more carcinogens. It also puts people, especially adolescents, at higher risks of mental health problems.

Even though some patients justify benefits of marijuana, the positive effects should not be generalized to everyone. If some cities or countries legalize marijuana usage, the effects on brains should not be overlooked. Moreover, one should always remain careful that his marijuana usage is also likely to affect people he is close to – his family and friends. Drugs provide only temporary relief and locks people in a drug-seeking state.