Teenagers who regularly use cannabis could be permanently impairing their mental development and lowering their IQ, according to a major new study. Researchers found that heavy users who started regularly using the drug before the age of 18 suffered an average eight-point decline in IQ between adolescence and adulthood. Users were also found to have more problems with their attention span and memory than non-users. Dr Madeline Meier, who led the study, said the message was clear that the drug ‘is not harmless, particularly for adolescents’. She added: ‘Somebody who loses eight IQ points as an adolescent may be disadvantaged compared to their same-age peers for years to come.’ The study was based on more than 1,000 people in New Zealand. The study revealed: ‘Persistent cannabis use was associated with neuropsychological decline broadly across domains of functioning, even after controlling for years of education. Informants also reported noticing more cognitive problems for persistent cannabis users.

Pray: that the authorities would seriously note the results of this study and take action to reverse these statistics.

More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/study-links-teen-cannabis-use-with-lower-iq/