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Research: Regular marijuana users suffer less impairment than occasional users
August 31, 7:15 PMNORML ExaminerAngela Macdonald

New research shows regular marijuana users experience
less impairment than occasional users in certain
neurocognitive abilities after consumption
(Google Images)

It may be time to re-think the way we envision the typical stoner-type personality
portrayed in the media. Recent research published in the Journal of
Psychopharmacology shows those impacted most by any negative neurocognitive
effects of marijuana are actually occasional users, not those who regularly consume
marijuana.

The research reported in the article, “Neurocognitive performance during acute THC
intoxication in heavy and occasional cannabis users” examines various types of
cognitive and motor performance in relation to consumption of marijuana. Using 24
participants (12 regular cannabis users, and 12 occasional cannabis users), the
researchers studied multi-tasking attentiveness, motor-skill competency, decision-
making, and visual-motor tracking ability.

The results showed the group of regular cannabis users’ performance on the tasks
was only affected in regard to motor impulse control (reaction time) when high
concentrations of marijuana were consumed. On the other hand, the occasional
users’ abilities to perform critical tracking tasks, multi-tasking, as well as motor
impulse control tests suffered significantly within the first hour after consumption of
cannabis.

The study also reported on the significance of time decreasing the negative
performance effects of cannabis on occasional users. Unlike the significant drop in
performance levels occurring within the occasional user group in the first hour after
cannabis consumption, regular cannabis users appear to show little shift in ability
over the eight hour period following cannabis consumption with the exception of
reaction time.

This all leaves to question, who really acts like a stereotypical marijuana smoker that
we see portrayed even by those within the movement?  The ones who say dude and
man a lot.  Is it the regular consumer, or the occasional smoker?  Whatever the case,
this research shows that those who suffer most, cognitively speaking, from marijuana
consumption are non-regular users.

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