Daily Life of Young Adults in Canada

The Positive and Negative Impact of Recreational Marijuana on the Daily Life of Young Adults in Canada
Introduction
The status of cannabis (marijuana) as a narcotic substance has long limited the use of this drug in the treatment of diseases and scientific research. After legalization in Canada and the United States, it has been widely used for recreational and medical purposes. Despite the risks associated with smoking marijuana, it is still one of the favorite drugs among young people. Meanwhile, discussion about the legalization of cannabis use shows that the level of its acceptance by society is growing.
Considering the increasing use of recreational marijuana, this research aims to explore recreational cannabis and how the intake of this drug affects the daily life of young adults aged between 22 to 29 years living in Canada. The rationale for selecting this topic is that the use of recreational marijuana is prevalent nowadays in Canada, especially among young adults. However, several reported cases indicated diverse health issues among young adults using recreational marijuana.
As per the student’s background, i.e., Africa, this drug is not accessible or legalized in Africa. Besides, it is a punishable offense to keep marijuana. Thus, it is an exciting ground to explore the positive and negative aspects behind the legalization of marijuana in Canada and its effect on the daily life activities of young adults.
It is anticipated that this research would bring awareness about the advantages and disadvantages of marijuana and provide education on the appropriate and limited use of the drug among young adults. It is crucial to consider the rules and regulations behind the use of this drug to ascertain the safety and wellbeing of marijuana users.
Review of Literature
Since the 1960s, marijuana has been a constant companion of student age groups in Europe and America (Bajaj et al., 2019). As bans on the cultivation and cannabis use and the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana are eased in many countries around the world, research in this area is intensifying (Watson & Erickson, 2019).
More and more scientific associations and universities are studying the effects of cannabinoids on the brain and central nervous system (Bedillion et al., 2022). Part of this work was devoted to the effect of marijuana on the number of neural connections in the brain.
Perceptions about Legalization of Marijuana
The Government of Canada legalized the restricted and regulated use of marijuana on October 17, 2018. According to the federal legislation. Citizens with a minimum of 18 years of age have the right to purchase and use recreational cannabis. However, no adult can carry more than 30 g of dry marijuana or products from it with an equivalent cannabinoid content. Indeed, this is a significant amount. 30 g is estimated to be about a month's supply of dry matter for smoking at the so-called moderate regular consumption. The production of medical and recreational cannabis can only be legally carried out by specially licensed companies (Hammond et al., 2020).
Felson et al. (2019) explored the alterations in the attitudes about cannabis legalization across different sectors. Many politicians and analysts estimate all this as the beginning of a significant transformational process in Canadian society and economy. The article analyzes the main features of the federal legal framework and the rules and regulations introduced by the province of Ontario (Felson et al., 2019).
It was concluded that the initial outcomes of full marijuana legalization have been quite controversial. The production of such drugs is carried out under special licenses, and the sale and, in some cases, free issuance - according to medical prescriptions.
While cannabis may benefit patients with some disorders, there has unfortunately been a parallel increase in cannabis-related disorders such as cannabinoid vomiting syndrome. Therefore, it is important to analyze not only the beneficial effects and therapeutic potential of cannabis but also its harmful side effects.
Youth is the most vulnerable group of the population. It has been established that the central nervous system and the brain are fully formed only by age 25 (Sexton et al., 2019). Therefore, most Canadian doctors sound the alarm.
The legalization of the purchase and consumption of marijuana from 18 to 19 means the possibility that young people may take substances that damage their mental health and intellectual development for several years (Hammond et al., 2020). The foundation is laid for subsequent problems for the adults with studying, getting a job, creating a family, and raising children.
Association between Marijuana use and Neurodevelopment
Regions of the brain, including the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus, are critical for cognitive functioning but are also saturated with cannabinoid receptors targeted by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana (Hall & Lynskey, 2020).
These areas of the brain are the least developed during adolescence. One of the main reasons researchers believe that adolescent brains are more vulnerable to the adverse effects of cannabis (Greaves & Hemsing, 2020). Therefore, it is crucial to consider the risks and potential benefits of marijuana.
Recent research by Albaugh et al. (2021) highlighted the association between the neurodevelopment of adolescents and cannabis use. After analyzing the images of the brains of 799 people, the scientists concluded that cannabis use has a powerful effect on the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for impulse control, problem-solving, and action planning.
Active use of cannabis can also lead to psychosis, especially in young people (Paul et al., 2020). A study published in 2022 found that daily marijuana smokers were three times more likely to experience psychotic states than cannabis avoiders (Lawn et al., 2022).
Another research by Alali et al. (2020) explored the neural disruptions associated with the use of marijuana and its link with potential accidents and crashes. It is indicated that cannabis, like other drugs and alcohol, slows down and disrupts the reaction, potentially increasing the risk of accidents.
The fact of driving vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs established by police officers serves as the basis of severe punishments, including the immediate withdrawal of a driver's license, monetary penalty, possible arrest of the vehicle, opening a criminal case, and taking into custody.
A research article by Schuster (2018) published in the journal Clinical Psychiatry casts doubt that marijuana exposure to the adolescent brain necessarily leads to chronic cognitive problems.
The researchers found that adolescents and young adults who stop using cannabis improve their ability to learn new information, while those who continue to use do not show the same improvement (Schuster, 2018). It was also found that most of this improvement occurs during abstinence's first week.
The group members who abstained were asked to take a urine test to ensure they were not using marijuana (Schuster, 2018). In total, the cohort included 88 people aged 16 to 25 years.
Both groups performed different tasks to test two broad areas of cognitive functioning: memory and concentration (Schuster, 2018). The researchers found that the group abstaining from marijuana improved available memory, especially in the verbal ability to remember words. However, the attention did not improve with abstinence.
According to the Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA), due to the effects of cannabis on brain development, its use should be limited to those under 25 years of age. There is strong evidence that early and regular use of cannabis can affect cognitive functions, including memory, attention, intelligence, and the ability to process thoughts and experiences.
In addition, there may be an increased risk of developing a psychotic disorder and depression in those who have already experienced this disease. On the other hand, fewer people turn to drug addiction treatment centers. This indicator may indicate that legalization does not increase the rate of drug abuse.
Effects of Marijuana on Young Adults
Daily (or frequent) use of marijuana over a long period has hazardous consequences for health. Smoking cannabis (the most common way) negatively affects the lungs in much the same way as smoking tobacco. Long-term consumption of cannabinoids, exceptionally concentrated ones, while vaping negatively affects mental health and intelligence.
According to Baumbusch and Yip (2022), among regular cannabis users, persistent addiction occurs in 9%. The proportion of addicts rises to 16% among those who started using it at a young age. With daily use, one in two becomes addicted.
Marijuana legalization groups have called for a new study as further evidence that marijuana does not cause long-term cognitive impairment (Chaiton et al., 2022). Research showed that cannabis exposure was not associated with long-term brain damage or cognitive effects after chronic abstinence (Chaiton et al., 2022). These results challenge the long-held stereotype of 'stoning' and should help allay concerns that acute behavioral effects of cannabis may continue long after drug use or pose a greater potential risk to the developing brain.
However, the experts quickly pointed out that the sword cuts both times (MacDougall & Maston, 2021). Improving memory or cognitive function due to abstinence from marijuana means one thing: in fact, there is an acute cognitive impairment caused by the drug.
This data strongly supports this notion because the ability to think improves when the user stops smoking.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also remains a vocal opponent of marijuana legalization due to the potential approach it can offer young users (Windle et al., 2019).
However, experts still have concerns about the impact marijuana use has on adolescents; on their emotional and psychosocial development, and the evidence has not confirmed any more about the possible impact on brain development and physical wellbeing.
Scott et al. (2018) at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine emphasized the use of cannabis and cognitive functioning among adolescents.
Scott published a study in 2018 that concluded that people who abstained from marijuana for more than 72 hours had minor cognitive impairment effects. Interestingly, it shows that the first week of abstinence improved cognitive functioning in cannabis users. Another negative aspect of the effect of marijuana on the human body is memory impairment, in particular short-term (Leos-Toro et al., 2020).
Several student studies have been conducted, according to which students under the influence of marijuana did not experience difficulties in reproducing previously learned material from memory, but they experienced a decrease in the ability to memorize and retrieve new information from memory (Haines-Saah & Fischer, 2021; MacDougall & Maston, 2021; Paul et al., 2020).
Under the influence of cannabinoids, the human brain begins to look for and assimilate new information with interest, but it also quickly forgets it in the rapid flow of other thoughts.
Short-term effects of Cannabinoid
Depending on the student's circumstances, health, and mental state, cannabis use can also lead to negative consequences (Woo et al., 2020). Too large portions or too potent varieties with high Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) values can reduce concentration, distract attention, overly relax and demotivate the student. Among the short-term effects of cannabinoid use, the following are the most harmful and dangerous:
1 Slow reaction, reduced ability to concentrate, loss of coordination of movement from 4 to 6 hours: Driving a car even 2 to 3 hours after smoking or vaping can lead to accidents with severe consequences (Myran et al., 2022).
2 The occurrence of problems with understanding, remembering, and learning: This leads to complications at work or in the educational process.
3 Influence on mood and sensations: A sense of pleasure and euphoria is experienced by many, but not all.
4 Frequent bouts of anxiety, depression, panic, and inappropriate behavior.
Arguments between Advantages and Drawbacks of Marijuana
In addition to social life, students hav...