I have heard straight from the horses mouth - police officers - saying that people who smoke weed as their chosen vice compared to alcohol get in less trouble, or some never cause trouble when stoned. Where as alcohol causes much more upset and fights and instances of violence. I am still dubious though as I believe that marijuana DOES exacerbate pre existing mental health disorders and depression. I saw a documentary that stipulated that marijuana is the only drug that is absorbed by the brain and infact stays there and lingers on for much more time than other illegal street drugs. This must be thc chemical component of the drug as I know the oil( marijuana without the psychoactive thc) has been approved in the uk. And since marijuana effects dopamine receptors that could prove it has a strong link to schizophrenia in my book. I am undecided on whether it can be blamed for causing mental illness. Maybe a combination of genetics and usage may cause serious illness like psychosis. From my reading on cannabis and it's effects on the brain most sources agree that it is most dangerous for teens when the brain is still developing (until 25) and can alter the pathways the neurons and synapses in the brain create. And can cause irreversible damage. So learning is affected since the brain cannot send signals to where they are needed as quickly. But suggest that if a person is older cannabis may be a bit safer.
Thoughts forum?