Teens Who Smoke Pot Everyday are Less Likely to Finish High School: Study

Daily pot smokers are at risk of becoming addicted to substances, developing suicidal tendencies and are less likely to do well in academics, according to a study.

Cannabis' use in the medical field is debated by experts fearing risk of abuse and addiction. The psychoactive compound in the drug harms young brains and causes mental difficulties in later years. Experts at the University of New South Wales, Australia, conducted three long observations  to study the effects of smoking marijuana in children younger than 17.

They found that these children were less likely to perform well in academics and obtain a high school or graduation degree. In addition, the meta-analysis revealed the risk rate for suicidal behavior and addiction for cannabis was seven and 18 times higher for young pot smokers, respectively. This habit also hikes up the possibility for intake and abuse of other forms of mind-alerting substances in later life regardless of age, sex, ethnicity and socio-economic status.

The authors urge policy makers and regulatory authorities to implement stricter polices to curb the availability and rate of consumption of marijuana in school kids.

"Our findings are particularly timely given that several U.S. states and countries in Latin America have made moves to decriminalize or legalize cannabis, raising the possibility the drug might become more accessible to young people," said Richard Mattick, co-researcher and professor at Australia's National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre at the University of New South Wales,  reports the Reuters News.

"This new study ties in well with previous research into the mental health effects of heavy cannabis smoking during adolescence, a period where the mind and brain are still developing," said Michael Bloomfield, a psychiatrist at University College London, reports Reuters.

More information is available online in the journal the Lancet Psychiatry.