Cannabis
A man rolls a joint during the 4th Marijuana Festival outside the Senate building in Mexico City December 20, 2012 Reuters/Tomas Bravo

Teenagers are more prone to the devastating effects of drug use compared to adults. Studies showed that teen cannabis can lead to dangerous and life-threatening results if left unattended. Here are some facts about the problem.

Teen cannabis is defined as the use of the illicit drug, cannabis sativa, by teenagers. Compared to other kinds of substances and age brackets using the same, teen cannabis was shown to cause a variety of adverse effects on health, social status and family life, among others.

Below are some of the causes.

1. Cannabis dependence

Teenagers who smoked cannabis even fewer than once a month were shown to develop cannabis dependence by twice as much by the time they reach 25 years old. The associated risks were specific to cannabis and different from alcohol and other types of drugs.

2. Suicidal tendencies

Teenage cannabis was shown to cause mental and emotional disorders. 62% of teenage users were more likely to attempt suicide. Those who took cannabis every day were seven times more prone to committing suicide, eight times more likely to try other illegal drugs and 18 times more at risk for developing drug dependence.

3. Dropping out of school

Research conducted at the University of New South Wales and involving the National Drug Research Institute of Curtin University showed that teenage users were 60% more likely to drop out of school, regardless of their family background and income bracket. As teenagers used more of the illicit product, the risk for poor educational results also increased. According to the researchers, there was no "safe level" in consuming cannabis.

4. Improved legislation needed

A study published in The Lancet Psychiatry showed that the effects of teenage cannabis are wide-ranging and can extend into adulthood. Reforms in cannabis legislation are required to boost prevention and improve the welfare of affected individuals.

5. Mental health problems

Research published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showed that adolescents who used cannabis have lower IQ by the time they reach 38 years old. The decline in neuropsychological capabilities is caused by the interruption of the drug to the development of the adolescent brain. As a result, teenage users can have lower IQ or even develop mental diseases later in life.