Bart’s family was touched by tragedy when his son died, reportedly following an episode of psychosis precipitated by this psychoactive plant-based substance.
In the United States, 46% of people report lifetime use of cannabis, 18% report use within the past year, and among adults 18 to 25 the annual use rises to 35.4%.
Up to one in 20 pregnant women report cannabis use during pregnancy, according to data from the peer-reviewed medical website UpToDate.
Marijuana’s THC levels are variable, with an upward trajectory in potency being reported by Bright, compared to what was met by pot users of decades past.
Although inhaled, buccal , and ingested marijuana is purported by some to be curative of nausea, vomiting and glaucoma, we have prescription drugs available as well for these conditions.
Acute cannabis intoxication may cause rapid heart rate, elevation or decrease in blood pressure, increased breathing rate, redness of the eyes, dry mouth, increased appetite, altered eye movement, difficulty walking or driving and slurring of the speech.
Long term, cannabis increases the risk of myocardial infarction , and may lower sperm count in susceptible men.
Whether cannabis leads to suicide directly or simply worsens underlying mental health problems is a question subject to further debate.