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.
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