“According to the United Nations, 158.8 million people around the world use marijuana—more than 3.8% of the planet’s population”( Drug- Free World, International Statistics, Drugfreeworld.org).The oldest document of cannabis existence was discovered to be in China during 2727 B.C. Cannabis was originally used for medicinal use or for spiritual purposes. As cannabis became known it spread into the Middle East and ultimately into North Africa. During the mid 1500’s the Spaniards discovered cannabis and shipped it into Chile for the use of fiber(Cannabis, Coca and Poppy: Nature’s Addictive Plants, Deamuseum.org). During the Mexican revolution, Mexican escape persecution by migrating to the united States, introducing America to cannabis, which …show more content…
The activation of the receptors by the THC negatively affects the brain where simple functions like thinking, memory and coordination are performed (National Institute On Drug Abuse, How Does Marijuana Produce It’s Effects, Drugabuse.gov). Madeline Meier from Duke University states, “Researchers from Duke University analyzed data gathered over many years from people living in New Zealand. They compared the IQs in childhood through age 38 among marijuana users and nonusers. People who began using marijuana in their teenage years and then continued to use marijuana for many years lost about eight IQ points from childhood to adulthood, whereas those who never used marijuana did not lose any IQ points.Those who smoked the most, at least every day saw the greatest drop in IQ, the full 8 points. The younger they were when they started using cannabis, the greater the IQ decline. Adults who smoked marijuana as teenagers did worse in tests of memory and decision-making than adults who hadn't smoked pot” (Madeline Meier, Marijuana may hurt the developing teen brain, Npr.org).The younger one begins to use Marijuana the greater the damage to the