By: Samuel Geronimo
The weed rabbit hole is an interesting one. Often, we’ve heard sentiments echoed by officials and health agencies that vaping companies are to blame for predatory practices associated with marketing to younger kids. Namely, an article from the truth initiative freedom from nicotine addiction website can be quoted as saying the following: “to attract young people, e-cigarette brands frequently use youth-appealing imagery, bright colors, fun flavor, descriptions, and toy-like packaging. A study also found that JUUL, Vuse and Velo included young models, animations, and energetic music in their TV ads, which is likely to appeal to young people.” Why does this matter? Why am I bringing up vaping in an article about marijuana use? Funny enough, in the world of marijuana use, predatory packaging has gotten insane. With many of the packaging resembling real candy, cereal, chips, video games, cell phones, gaming consoles, you name it. Subsequently fostering a space where at risk youth take pride and collecting the craziest cannabis packaging. This sinister business model has been lucrative for some, placing the most exquisite packaging at a premium price.
Captain Crunch and Cocoa Pebbles packaging is aesthetically pleasing to some. The adverse effects of cannabis, particularly in young males, is not aesthetically or internally pleasing. Conclusive evidence shows us young men in particular seem to be the most susceptible group in route to develop schizophrenia from excessive marijuana use. The psychoactive drug to psychosis pipeline is one that is not often discussed enough. Namely, in a 2025 podcast published by the British Columbia Schizophrenia Society, you can find the following excerpt: “studies have shown that emergency room visits for cannabis-induced psychosis in Ontario have increased by 220% between 2014 and 2021. For young men aged 14 to 24, the risk of developing schizophrenia increases to over 40% within three years after showing up in an emergency room for cannabis-induced psychosis.” This is important because many people smoke weed as an escape, albeit an escape from their reality or in some cases, mental health issues. This is significant because self-medicating your mental condition with cannabis is common; however, there have been more behemoth-like consequences (that may lie dormant for some time) on this form of medication rather than therapeutic ones.
Developing schizophrenia from weed seems a bit extreme, while it is not the standard for cannabis use, there are other consequences that may seem small, nonetheless, slowly but surely are felt. A plethora of cannabis users suffer from cannabis use disorder. According to the Cleveland Clinic “approximately 16 million people ages 12 and up had a cannabis use disorder in the past 12 months.” According to the Cleveland Clinic, cannabis use disorder symptoms include, but are not limited to: hostility or denial when someone confronts you about cannabis use, confusion, memory issues, difficulty learning, delusions, withdrawing from friends and family, sudden changes in mood and behavior, not caring about your physical appearance as much as you used to, developing tolerance, having unsuccessful efforts to cut down on or control cannabis use having a strong desire or urge to use cannabis, taking cannabis and larger amounts and for a larger amount of time than you intended. This is important because oftentimes these are the best case scenarios for someone participating in constant cannabis use(we’ve already covered the worst case; schizophrenia). This is significant because although cannabis does have some positive effects, such as relaxing you and treating anxiety, positive effects pale in comparison to the negative ones.
I spoke with Delroy Ellis, a 24 year old man who used to heavily indulge in cannabis use, often finding himself smoking about five times a day. Delroy had this to say: “Marijuana is a gateway drug for bad habits. Even though many people today smoke weed and are considerably healthy in their own perspective, I’ve realized that I am unable to face “the real world problems” while under the influence. I see in myself a huge difference in my communication skills when talking, when I’m high I tend to stutter, pause a lot, and find difficulty finding the right words to express myself clearly. Compared to when I’m sober my mind is clearer and able to articulate myself with ease. To me, smoking keeps me complacent and I wouldn’t want to go out as often, I would chill and sit in one place until eventually I fell asleep.”
Amanda Musto, 29, who hasn’t smoked weed for about three months, said the following: “I have always had a strong memory, but with me now about to hit my 12th year of smoking weed, I’ve noticed the decline in my memory and the rise in brain fog. I decided to take a weed break for this semester and the first month was one of the worst months of my life. I couldn’t sleep, the dreams I had were so vivid and terrifying, food didn’t taste as good, my routine felt messed up, I was moody as hell, and I just was truly miserable. It opened my eyes to how much my body and daily life used this drug in a codependent way. Three months in now on a weed break and I noticed how much better I can breathe. Walking doesn’t wind me like it used to and I’m not constantly coughing from either the act of smoking or just from my lungs being caked with res. I feel lighter in a way.”
Marijuana has taken on a life of its own in the 21st-century, going from a highly frowned upon drug, once viewed as something that only hippies did. There was a point in time where smoking a joint was deemed a social death sentence. Conversely, today you can’t escape it. Matriculating through popular culture and loosened regulations, the use of cannabis has skyrocketed, parallel to the notion that cannabis is good for you and your social image. While cannabis use may make you feel forever young, the consequences of heavy usage and utilizing weed as a form of escapism will guarantee you everything but longevity.
