Marijuana use increases likelihood of college students dropping out

According to the most recent research, frequent marijuana use decreases academic performance in college students and increases the likelihood of students dropping out. This as marijuana use among students is near record highs.

Nearly 40 percent of the students reported using marijuana in a recent poll of 19 colleges in Texas. 26 percent reported having used it on their campuses.

Studies have shown that heavy marijuana use has been linked to dropping out of college and poor academic performance. The more frequently college students use cannabis, the lower their grade point averages tend to be.

Heavy marijuana users tend to have lower GPAs, have an increased likelihood of skipping classes, and take longer time to graduate. The research suggests that marijuana use can have a detrimental effect on a student's ability to focus, retain information, and perform academically.

The scientific evidence suggests that heavy marijuana use can be detrimental to both cognitive functioning and mental health. This can impact academic performance and contribute to college dropout rates.

Heavy and long-term marijuana use is linked to cognitive function impairment. Chronic marijuana use poses risks for cognitive functioning. Heavy and long-term users experience greater difficulties compared to light users and non-users.

Marijuana use is particularly detrimental on the young, growing brain. Brain development occurs in the teenage and early twenties; and marijuana use in this period can have long-lasting effects on cognitive abilities. These effects can impact attention, memory, and decision-making skills, all of which are crucial for success in an academic setting.

Heavy marijuana use can contribute to academic challenges that may ultimately lead to college dropouts.

Chronic marijuana use has also been linked to impaired mental functioning, reduced psychological well-being, and lower cognitive performance leading to poor academic outcomes.

Regular use of high-potency cannabis can have potential negative impact on mental health. Studies show that these issues can manifest as anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders, which can significantly interfere with academic performance and contribute to the decision to drop out of college.

Studies have shown that students who have at least $100 per month in spending money, attend religious services rarely or never, currently use cigarettes, alcohol, and hookah tobacco, have a history of illicit drug use, and have a higher propensity for sensation seeking are more likely to have used marijuana at least once upon entering college.

Students with Hispanic ethnicity, who live on campus, and currently use cigarettes and alcohol have a higher likelihood of initiating marijuana use during freshman year in college.

College students who are more likely to use marijuana tend to be white, male, single, members of fraternities or sororities, non-athletes, not religious, cigarette smokers, and engage in heavy episodic drinking.

Heavy marijuana use has been linked to disruptions in enrollment, reduced rates of degree completion, and difficulties concentrating on academic tasks.

Frequent cannabis consumption can contribute to a higher likelihood of skipping classes.

These are generalities. Each individual may respond differently to marijuana use, and the impact on academic performance can vary widely.

The impact of marijuana use on academic progress can hinder the timely completion of degree requirements, leading to delayed graduation or even contribute to discontinuation of studies.

Long-term, heavy use of marijuana is associated with changes in brain structure. These changes can affect functions such as information processing, IQ, memory, and attention. The research has shown that chronic marijuana use can lead to alterations in the brain, even after weeks of abstinence.

Marijuana can lead to structural changes on working memory, learning, and information processing are essential cognitive functions for academic success. Marijuana use can impair these functions, leading to difficulties in comprehending and retaining information, decreased cognitive flexibility, and impaired problem-solving skills.

The Alabama Legislature passed legislation to legalize medical cannabis in 2021, but that program has been tied up in the Alabama courts for 13 months. Potencies are capped in the Alabama law preventing the worst of these symptoms. Recreational marijuana remains illegal in the state of Alabama.

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