“Because cannabis is psychoactive, meaning it affects a patient’s judgment, balance, perception, coordination and cognitive functions like concentration and short term memory, there are risks inherently associated with its use.” So writes Dr. Sean Breen in this post on the Medical Cannabis of Southern California Web site. The company operates three clinics providing medical recommendations for cannabis.
While the pot doc’s warning doesn’t go into great detail, it avoids the logical leap into the abyss taken by many pot users: Since nobody died from smoking pot (allegedly), it can’t be that harmful. Breen explains that marijuana can affect cognitive function, increase the heart rate and contribute to substance-abuse problems. Any pot doc worth his or her salt also cautions patients about the adverse health effects of smoking the drug.
