Education on healthy attitudes and knowledge of the risks of drug abuse are the best preventive measures. Not tolerating drug use and teaching children early about the dangers of drug use are important strategies.
Long term use of marijuana increases a person's risk for the following diseases and conditions:
Marijuna use after age 45 causes significant stress on the heart. People in this age group have a five-fold increase in their risk for heart attack for about an hour after they smoke the marijuana.
Marijuana abuse reduces judgment, impulse control, and motor control. An abuser puts others at risk for accidents and emotional injury.