Pot smoking teens could lose IQ points - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Pot smoking teens could lose IQ points

Posted: Updated:

THOMASVILLE, GA (WALB) - A recent study shows people who smoke marijuana before age 18 may lose IQ points.

Marijuana is the most frequently used illegal drug in the U.S.

The research found an average decline of eight points on IQ tests taken at age 13 and age 38 among those who began using pot before as a teenager.

"Marijuana is unfiltered. You have more toxins going in your body. It's like smoking numerous upon numerous cigarettes with just one marijuana cigarette. They don't know what kind of chemicals have been put on the marijuana," said Thomas County Narcotics Commander Kevin Lee.

The study showed there was no decrease in IQ for those who started smoking later in life and a slight increase for those who never used it.


Copyright 2012 WALB. All rights reserved.