Recreational Marijuana
3 Common Myths

& What Nevadans Can Do

to Keep Their Communities Safe

By John Seeland, JD, MBA, MHS

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On Nov. 8, 2016, Nevada residents voted “yes” to an amendment that allows for the recreational use of marijuana throughout the state. If statistics in Colorado are anything to go by, this changeMarijuana could result in an increase in statewide cannabis consumption and all of the complications that go with it, including a rise in incidents of drugged driving and a spike in the number marijuana-related visits to hospital emergency rooms.

With the changes set to go into effect Jan. 1, 2017, it is now more vital than ever that Nevada residents familiarize themselves with the facts about this drug and its potentially harmful side effects.
Below are three common marijuana myths and what Nevadans can do to help dispel them and ensure their communities remain healthy and safe.

Myth 1: Driving under the influence of marijuana isn’t dangerous.

The facts: Research has found that people under the influence of marijuana struggle to multi-task and experience delayed reaction times. This can prove hazardous when behind the wheel.

Many believe that driving under the influence of marijuana isn’t “that dangerous,” citing statistics that suggest driving under the influence of alcohol is far worse. While it may be true that drunk driving has lead to more traffic fatalities, whether or not it is more dangerous than drugged driving is still up for debate. Research has found that when people drive drunk, they often drive faster than they would sober and tend to overestimate their driving ability. When people drive drugged, however, the converse is true: they drive slower than they would sober and are overly cautious.

This can lead to its own set of problems. Researchers at the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, for instance, found that those under the influence of marijuana have difficulty multi-tasking and are slower to react to unexpected situations, like the sudden appearance of a pedestrian or a stopped car.

What Nevadans can do: Establish clear drugged driving laws

Perhaps part of what is perpetuating the myth that drugged driving is safe is the belief that it is legal. Many Nevadans conclude that because they have a prescription from a doctor, they are allowed to “smoke and drive” without consequence. Nevadans need to educate the public that under both the current and new laws, driving while under the influence of any controlled substance—legal or not—can result in a DUI charge.

The problem, of course, will lie in officers’ ability to enforce the law, which may prove difficult. Marijuana breathalyzers do not currently exist and field sobriety tests for marijuana (such as walking in a straight line heel-to-toe or balancing on one foot) frequently aren’t reliable. A 2012 study published in the journal Psychopharmacology, for example, found that field sobriety tests catch 88 percent of drunk drivers but only 30 percent of drugged drivers.

The other option is a blood test, but because marijuana can stay in the system for up to 60 days, it can be difficult to assert with full certainty whether the THC in someone’s system is a result from a joint they smoked two minutes (or two days) ago.

Before we can begin to fight the myth that marijuana-impaired driving isn’t dangerous, however, we need to first clearly establish what we consider “impaired.” That’s not an easy question to answer. Under current laws pertaining to medical marijuana, the legal driving limit in Nevada is two nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood, or two parts per billion; but in Colorado, where recreational marijuana was legalized in 2012, the limit is 5 nanograms.

Myth 2: Marijuana has no negative side effects.

The facts: Studies suggest long-term marijuana use can cause damage to the brain, particularly in those who start using as adolescents.

The results of several studies suggest that marijuana is not as harmless as many may believe. A small study conducted by the Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscientific Discovery (MIND), for example, found that teens who smoked marijuana were more likely to develop changes in their brain’s white matter, which affected areas of the brain associated with impulsive behavior and inhibitions. Another MIND study found that heavy marijuana smokers performed worse in tasks requiring the use of cognitive and executive brain functioning, such as memory, reasoning and problem solving. This was especially true of those who began using marijuana at a young age.

What Nevadans can do: Educate parents and teenagers.

With legalization comes normalcy. And with normalcy comes the threat that society may forget that the THC in that innocuous-looking brownie or gummy bear can, in fact, cause long-term brain damage. And while it may be impossible to fatally overdose from marijuana, in many regards, chronic, heavy use represents a death of a different sort: A death of motivation and a death of ingenuity.

Parents, teachers and the community as a whole need to educate young people about the drug’s potential negative consequences and provide healthy outlets that boost their mental emotional wellbeing and promote positive goal-seeking behaviors.

Myth 3: Marijuana isn’t addictive.

The facts: Every substance has the potential for addiction. Marijuana is no exception.

Though only a small percentage of the general population meets the criteria for a substance use disorder (around 10 percent), those with a genetic predisposition and/or a history of mental illness are particularly vulnerable. Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health has found that 4.2 million Americans are physically dependent on marijuana, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has predicted that about 9 percent of marijuana users will become marijuana abusers.

What Nevadans can do: Know the warning signs.

Marijuana dependency and abuse isn’t something that develops overnight. Unlike with opiates, it can take months and even years of using for signs of abuse to develop. Parents and community members need to be educated on the warning signs so that they may seek help for their child or loved one before the problem worsens.

Some of the criteria for a marijuana use disorder include:

Dependence—Does the person experience withdrawal symptoms when not taking the drug? Withdrawal symptoms often involve: irritability, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, lost appetite, and cravings.

Problems at school, work and home—Has using marijuana resulted in personal, financial or legal problems? Some examples include: Fights with family members, failed school or work assignments and run-ins with the law.

Nevada has numerous support systems available for those who may suspect their relationship with marijuana has become unhealthy and maladaptive. Counselors, 12-step programs and rehabilitation facilities can provide a wealth of information to individuals, families and educators.

If we are to help future generations of Nevadans, we must join together in our efforts to become educated and supportive resources for our community.


Las Vegas Recovery Center (LVRC) also offers help to those wishing to seek recovery from an opioid use disorder. With campuses in northwest Las Vegas and Henderson, LVRC is equipped to help chronic pain and addiction sufferers across the Las Vegas Valley. Visit http://lasvegasrecovery.com/ or call 702-515-1373 to learn more.