Abstract

SCOPPETTA DIAZ-GRANADOS, Orlando; PEREZ GOMEZ, Augusto  and  MUNOZ, Víctor Hugo. On the supposed safety of marijuana’s consumption: difference between consumers in national surveys in Colombia. liber. [online]. 2013, vol.19, n.1, pp.55-66. ISSN 1729-4827.

Data from several sources show that marihuana smoking has harmful effects on health and conviviality. The purpose of this study was to analyse the differences between users and non-users of marihuana on variables potentially associated with social and health problems amongst those using marihuana. Two data bases were analyzed: one from 2008, regarding general population (12 to 65 years of age), and a second one from 2011 regarding school populations with ages between 12 and 18. In the first population significant differences were found for work accidents and alcohol abuse; in the second one the differences were related to academic failure and agression incidents, some times as victims, some times as perpetrators. The results confirm other studies’ findings: contrary to the common belief among marihuana users, there is a strong association between the use of the substance and behavioral and academic problems. It is suggested that longitudinal studies must be carried out in order to overcome the methodological limitations and flaws related to cross-sectional studies.

Keywords : Marihuana use; Marihuana effects; Marihuana and health; Marihuana and academic performance; Marihuana and alcohol; Marihuana and agresión.

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