No, it doesn’t.
This anti-cannabis myth appeared to receive some validation with a 2012 study published by the National Academy of Science. The study claimed to show that teenage use of cannabis impaired IQ scores.
But the study was based upon flawed methodology.
One of the scientists from that original study, Madeline H. Meier, has now reversed her findings. Her new analysis has been reported in Addiction Journal (February 2018). A recent article from The Extract highlights the significant finding.
Short-term cannabis use in adolescence does not appear to cause IQ decline or impair executive functions, even when cannabis use reaches the level of dependence.
Translation: adolescent use of cannabis – even heavy use – caused no measurable difference in cognitive performance. The study couldn’t reach any conclusions about long-term use since its data sample didn’t extend to a sufficient time frame to do so.
Note, however, that this new study does nothing more than echo a 1999 study on cannabis use and cognitive performance. It was conducted by the American Journal of Epidemiology.
That study covered a 12-year time frame. Its sample group were adults under age 65. The results: no measurable evidence of cognitive decline associated with cannabis use.
Indeed, an article published in 2016 by Medicine News cited a study cannabis use can actually help to reverse cognitive decline.
Cannabis use does not impair peoples’ brains. Not from short-term use. Not from long-term use. Regardless of age group.
In fact, cannabis might actually help some people get smarter.
What does make people stupid? Hating cannabis.
The evidence? Cannabis Obstructionists attempting to delay the normalization of cannabis continue to say very, very stupid things about cannabis…such as “cannabis makes you stupid.”