August 1, 2023 – Otter Tail County, MN– Starting August 1, 2023, Minnesotans over the age of 21 can legally use, possess, and develop leisure hashish – which can also be known as Marijuana. Minnesota is now the twenty third state to legalize adult-use marijuana. Though use and possession are authorized starting August 1, it’s not lawful to promote marijuana with no license from the Workplace of Hashish Administration (OCM). The Workplace of Hashish Administration won’t start issuing licenses till the workplace is absolutely established, seemingly round January 2025. In the interim, any gross sales which are tried till licenses are issued are unlawful.
Marijuana refers back to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the hashish sativa or hashish indica plant. The plant incorporates practically 500 chemical substances, together with Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a mind-altering chemical. Numerous extracts might be comprised of the hashish plant. These extracts can ship massive quantities of THC to the physique. Marijuana might be smoked through cigarettes, pipes, and vaporizers. Marijuana may also be blended in meals similar to brownies, cookies, gummies, teas, and seltzers. These are also known as “edibles.”
“As Marijuana turns into authorized in Minnesota, we’re dedicated to preserving our group educated about what marijuana is and the way the brand new regulation might influence the well being of those that use the product,” mentioned Otter Tail County Well being Educator Emily Frustol. “We’ll proceed to share instructional messaging and work with our companions to reply questions associated to the well being impacts that marijuana use might have.”
Utilizing marijuana can have an effect on your well being in numerous methods. The Substance Abuse and Psychological Well being Companies Administration and the Heart for Illness Management and Prevention created the knowledge shared under. It outlines details about marijuana use.
Dependancy: Some folks might turn out to be hooked on marijuana. Which means that they might not be capable of cease utilizing the product. Roughly 1 in 10 individuals who use marijuana will turn out to be addicted. If they begin earlier than age 18, the dependancy fee rises to 1 in 6.
Utilizing marijuana can have an effect on your well being in numerous methods. The Substance Abuse and Psychological Well being Companies Administration and the Heart for Illness Management and Prevention created the knowledge shared under. It outlines details about marijuana use.
Dependancy: Some folks might turn out to be hooked on marijuana. Which means that they might not be capable of cease utilizing the product. Roughly 1 in 10 individuals who use marijuana will turn out to be addicted. If they begin earlier than age 18, the dependancy fee rises to 1 in 6.
Mind well being: Marijuana impacts elements of the mind liable for reminiscence, studying, and a spotlight. It could additionally trigger everlasting IQ lack of as a lot as 8 factors when folks begin utilizing it at a younger age.
Psychological well being: Research hyperlink marijuana use to melancholy, nervousness, suicide planning, and psychotic episodes. It’s not identified, nevertheless, if marijuana use is the reason for these circumstances.
Coronary heart Well being: Marijuana could make the center beat sooner and enhance blood strain instantly after use. It might additionally enhance the chance of stroke, coronary heart illness, and different vascular illnesses. Marijuana smoke delivers most of the similar substances researchers have present in tobacco smoke—these substances hurt the lungs and cardiovascular system.
Alcohol and Marijuana use: Individuals who use marijuana and go on to make use of different medicine (together with alcohol and tobacco) might have the next danger of dependence or dependancy to these medicine, particularly in the event that they began utilizing marijuana at an early age and use it continuously.
Driving: Individuals who drive underneath the affect of marijuana can expertise slower reactions, lane weaving, decreased coordination, and issue reacting to alerts and sounds on the highway. It’s unlawful to drive impaired.
Child’s well being and improvement: Marijuana use throughout being pregnant might trigger fetal development restriction, untimely start, stillbirth, and issues with mind improvement, leading to hyperactivity and poor cognitive operate. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and different chemical substances from marijuana may also be handed from a mom to her child via breast milk, additional impacting a toddler’s wholesome improvement.
Otter Tail County Public Well being is dedicated to educating on the well being results of marijuana. We all know that there are a lot of unknowns, and there could also be numerous questions relating to the brand new regulation. For questions, please contact 218-998-8320. For extra data on marijuana and its well being impacts, go to samhsa.gov/marijuana and cdc.gov/marijuana/health-effects
Public Well being Shares Data on Marijuana Legalization and Well being Impacts information launch (PDF)