Cannabis Can Harm Brain, Medical Study Finds

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BALTIMORE — The heavy, long-term use of cannabis is associated with negative changes in parts of the brain not previously implicated, and is linked to deficits in learning and memory, new research suggests.

"In light of a current trend toward legalizing marijuana, with potentially increased exposure of adolescents, we believe our findings are important to consider," said investigator Jodi Weinstein, MD, from the Columbia University Medical Center and the New York State Psychiatric Institute in New York City.

If used daily, cannabis "can be as bad as other drugs in terms of consequences," said senior investigator Anissa Abi-Dargham, MD, also from the Columbia University Medical Center and the New York State Psychiatric Institute.

"People often think of cannabis as a lighter, harmless drug. This study shows that it is not and that it has negative consequences," she told Medscape Medical News.

The study results were presented here

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URL: 
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/846094#vp_2