Weed and High School Students

By Yostin Gomez

---

Weed and high school students is not an new topic, but it is still a part of the community at Forsyth Satellite Academy. When looking at how weed is used people often think about how it affects students grades and academic life. As weed becomes legal in more states around America New York may soon be looking at legalized use and it will continue to play a role in school and academics for all students.

Students and teachers from the school F.S.A. say that weed affects people in different ways, that it depends on the amount of usage, weather it's natural or processed, and even the timing when being consumed.

Kayla from the Camba office at F.S.A. says that, “ In general I think it would negatively affect students grades because they'll miss class to go smoke and also may even not go to class. But it can also affect them in a positive way. It can get rid of anxiety and help students focus more than usual.”

Weed can affect people negatively towards their academic progress. According to Just Think Twice, “Studies show that marijuana, for example, affects your attention, memory, and ability to learn.” If you don't pay any attention in class you won't be able to record anything in your brain which means you won't learn. It can cause memory loss to some people and even forget about classwork that will be very useful for them in the future.

However, according to an article in Psychology Today by Dr. Kumar, cannabis can aid in creativity. “A drug induced altered state of mind may indeed lead to breaking free from ordinary thinking and associations, thereby, increasing the likelihood of generating novel ideas or associations.” This means that students have more probability of coming up with new and stronger ideas and to make connections between different ideas in classes. This is a good habit in classrooms and for education because it helps students develop better academic traits and increases their creativity level.

Chayla from the Camba office says, “I think it depends on the frequency and the amount of usage, and time when the drug is being consumed. Let's say you used the drug before school you wouldn't be committed into your classwork or, if you smoked all day every day their would come to a point where you can't smoke but you need to smoke so your mind would be settled just in when am i going to smoke again.”

Based on research scientist believe that if humans were exposed to THC, it'll cause the humans long term memory loss and problems learning. According to National institute on drug abuse “Rats exposed to THC before birth, soon after birth, or during adolescence show notable problems with specific learning and memory tasks later in life.” However scientists do say Some studies have found that THC (the chemical in marijuana that’s primarily responsible for the “high”) does lower anxiety.”

Also Taniqua from the camba office says” I think it depends on the person and the products being consumed meaning if their natural or processed, it can make a person lazy and not want to do anything but it'll also help them focus. It affects everyone differently.” A student ant forsyth says he tried it once but is not a consumer “ When i tried it for the first time i didn't like it, i felt paranoide, first and last time i ever used it. If i was to set my school average it would most likely be a 42.80 or something around there.” a weed consumer in the school says” it doesn't affects me in anyway it just pushes some things out of my mind, it's more of how you want to set things up if you want to do your work you do it, if you don't, you don't do it. If i was to set my overall average in school it would be an 80.85.” Another non smoker student in the school says “ i've never tried it but there's different opinions about it based on people that avecate by saying smoking weed is less harmful than smoking any other substance like tobacco. If i was to set my overall grade in school it would be an 85% average.”

Weed can affect people differently, In a good way and a bad way, weed can even heel illnesses. Its healthier than any other smoking product because of the fact that it can cure many diseases unlike cigarettes that cause cancer and other alike lung and full body illness. And even calm anxiety.

“Research has shown that marijuana’s negative effects on attention, memory, and learning can last for days or weeks after the acute effects of the drug wear off, depending on the person’s history with the drug… A review of 48 relevant studies found marijuana use to be associated with reduced educational attainment.”

Although According to Medical new today “cannabidiol, a substance that is present in marijuana, received approval in June 2018 as a treatment for some types of epilepsy.” more over “Over the years, research has yielded results to suggest that marijuana may be of benefit in the treatment of some conditions Chronic pain, Depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety.”

Weed is very effective more towards high school students than to other users. Even though it has its pros and cons. It can cure diseases and help with anxiety, but can cause memory loss and problems learning.