Pubdate: Sat, 18 Jun 2005 Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB) Copyright: 2005 The Edmonton Journal Contact: http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134 Author: CanWest News Service Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) YOUNG POT SMOKERS FACE LONG-TERM RISKS: STUDY LONDON - Teenagers and young adults who occasionally smoke cannabis over long periods are more likely to turn to more addictive drugs such as heroin, according to a Swedish study. Experiments on rats by Professor Yasmin Hurd, of the Karolinska Institute, Sweden, show that chronic periodic use of cannabis can interfere with brain development. There is evidence that the brain continues to develop until as late as 25. If confirmed, the findings suggest that children and young adults who use the drug over long periods would be more prone to anxiety and more dependent on anxiety-reducing drugs. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin