Marijuana Health Effects and Workplace Issues

Marijuana Health Effects:

Emphysema-like conditions

One joint of marijuana contains cancer-causing substances equal to 1/2 pack of cigarettes.

One joint causes the heart to race and overwork. People with heart conditions are at risk.

Marijuana is commonly contaminated with the fungus aspergillus, which can cause serious respiratory tract and sinus infections.

Marijuana lowers the body's immune system response making users more susceptible to infection.

Chronic Marijuana smoking causes changes in brain cells and brain waves. The brain does not work as efficiently or effectively. Long-term brain damage may occur.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and 60 other chemicals in marijuana concentrate in the ovaries and testes.

Chronic smoking of marijuana in males causes a decrease in testosterone and an increase in estrogen, the female hormone. Therefore, the sperm count is reduced, leading to temporary sterility.

Chronic smoking of marijuana in females causes a decrease in fertility.

A higher than normal incidence of stillborn births, early termination of pregnancy, and higher infant mortality rate during the first few days of life are common in pregnant marijuana smokers.

THC causes birth defects including brain damage, spinal cord, forelimbs, liver, and water on the brain and spine in test animals.

Prenatal exposure may cause underweight newborns.

Fetal exposure may decrease visual functioning.

User's mental function can display the following effects:

• delayed decision making
• diminished concentration
• impaired short-term memory
• impaired signal detection
• impaired tracking
• erratic cognitive function
• distortion of time estimation

Marijuana Workplace Issues

THC is stored in body fat and slowly released.

Marijuana smoking has long-term effects on performance.

Increased THC potency in modern marijuana increases the impairment.

Combining alcohol or other depressant drugs with marijuana increases impairment.