Frequently Asked Questions

  • Myth: Cannabis is a Gateway Drug

Fact: Research has debunked the notion of cannabis as a gateway drug, suggesting that the majority of cannabis users do not go on to use harder substances.

  • Myth: Legalization Leads to Increased Youth Usage

Fact: Studies from regions where cannabis has been legalized have shown no significant increase in cannabis usage among young people.

  • Myth: Cannabis has no Medicinal Value

Fact: Cannabis has been found to have medicinal properties that can aid in pain relief, anxiety management, and various other medical conditions.

  • Myth: Cannabis Legalization will lead to Increased Road Accidents

Fact: While concerns around impaired driving are valid, education, regulation, and robust law enforcement can mitigate these risks.

  • Myth: Cannabis Legalization will Result in Widespread Abuse

Fact: Legalization can enable better regulation and education, which are key to preventing abuse.

  • Myth: Legalization will Result in a Loss of Productivity

Fact: There’s no substantial evidence to support the claim that cannabis legalization leads to decreased productivity. In fact, some studies suggest that medical cannabis can improve quality of life, which may enhance productivity.

  • Myth: Cannabis Legalization is a Slippery Slope to Legalizing All Drugs

Fact: Each substance has its own unique profile of risks and benefits, and the discussion around legalization should be nuanced and substance-specific. The end of alcohol prohibition did not cause cannabis legalization.

  • Myth: Cannabis is Highly Addictive

Fact: Cannabis has a lower addiction rate compared to substances like alcohol and nicotine.

  • Myth: Legalization will lead to Increased Crime

Fact: Legalization can actually lead to a reduction in certain types of crime by moving the cannabis market out of the shadows.

  • Myth: Cannabis Legalization will Burden the Healthcare System

Fact: Cannabis legalization can potentially lead to a reduction in the use of other, more harmful substances like opioids, which in turn could lessen the burden on the healthcare system.

  • Myth: Cannabis Impairs Long-term Cognitive Function

Fact: While heavy use, especially in adolescence, may have cognitive effects, moderate use by adults appears to have minimal, if any, long-term impact on cognition.

  • Myth: There’s a Strong Link Between Cannabis Use and Psychotic Disorders

Fact: While there may be a link between heavy cannabis use and psychotic disorders, the relationship is complex and not fully understood. Many individuals with pre-existing conditions might self-medicate with cannabis.

  • Myth: Cannabis Causes Lung Cancer

Fact: Unlike tobacco, cannabis has not been conclusively linked to lung cancer. Some studies suggest that cannabis may even have anti-cancer properties, though more research is needed.