Is cannabis dangerous? – What the science says
One of the most common and understandable questions people have about cannabis is: "Is cannabis dangerous to your health?"
The debate about the health effects of cannabis is filled with emotions, myths, and conflicting opinions. At the same time, research data is constantly accumulating, providing a more accurate picture of how cannabis affects people.
Cannabis is not the same as harmless
Cannabis is not a deadly drug, but that doesn't mean it's automatically harmless. The effects depend on many factors: method of use, dosage, user's age, health, underlying factors, and frequency of use.
Possible risks:
- Psychological effects: High doses of THC can cause anxiety, confusion, or even psychotic symptoms, especially in young or sensitive users.
- Addiction: Approximately 9–10% of cannabis users develop addiction. The risk is higher among young people.
- Memory and learning: Long-term heavy use can affect short-term memory and concentration.
- Combustion and lung health: Smoking cannabis can cause the same harm to the respiratory system as smoking tobacco.
What about the benefits?
The potential benefits of cannabis are not limited to its medicinal effects, but also have social and cultural dimensions. For many, cannabis is part of a communal experience or a tool for creativity and self-reflection:
- Social relaxation: Cannabis can lower the threshold for interaction and promote openness in conversations.
- Cultural significance: Cannabis has been a part of music, art, and countercultures for decades.
- Increased creativity: Many users find that cannabis opens up new perspectives or supports a state of flow, for example in writing, painting or making music.
- Alternative to alcohol: Some people choose cannabis for its milder social and physical effects compared to alcohol. For example, when relaxing on the weekend, cannabis can provide a softer alternative without the hangover.
At the same time, it is good to note that cannabis has documented benefits, especially in medical use:
- Pain relief: For example, for chronic pain or neuropathic pain.
- Muscle stiffness and spasticity: in connection with MS.
- Relief of nausea: In connection with cancer treatments.
- Sleep and anxiety: For some users, moderate cannabis use improves sleep quality and relieves anxiety.
Electric forms, varietal strength and microdosing
Not all cannabis strains are the same. There are many different cannabis strains available today, some of which are high in THC (an intoxicating compound) and some in CBD (a non-intoxicating compound). CBD strains are not very intoxicating, but can still bring relaxing effects to the body and mind without getting high., but can still bring relaxing effects to the body and mind without getting high. This makes them interesting from a wellness and medicinal use perspective.
Nowadays, cannabis can be used without smoking, for example with a vaporizer or as edibles , which reduces the harm to the lungs.
Microdosing , or the use of very small doses of cannabis, has been on the rise, particularly for medicinal or wellness purposes. This can provide benefits without the intoxicating effects.
Summary: Risks and benefits of weight loss
Cannabis is not a black and white issue. It can be both beneficial and harmful. Individual sensitivity, usage patterns, and circumstances play a large role in the effects cannabis has.
Informed discussion and an open attitude help avoid both demonization and trivialization. The best way to approach cannabis is realistic and respectful: it is not harmless, but it is not automatically harmful either.
Legal status of cannabis in Finland
In Finland, cannabis is classified as a prohibited intoxicant. Its use, possession, cultivation and sale are illegal, except for medical use with special permission from a doctor. Medicinal use is only possible through officially approved preparations and requires strict supervision.
Legislative discussions are ongoing, and attitudes are slowly changing, but for now, cannabis is a strictly regulated substance in Finland.
Sources
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL): [thl.fi](https://www.thl.fi)
- Finnish Medicines Agency Fimea: [fimea.fi](https://www.fimea.fi)
- WHO: The Health and Social Effects of Nonmedical Cannabis Use (2016)
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): [nida.nih.gov](https://www.nida.nih.gov)
- European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA): [emcdda.europa.eu](https://www.emcdda.europa.eu)