29 August 2012 Last updated at 08:46 ET
Mark Easton, Home editor Article written by Mark Easton Home editor

Cannabis, IQ and the law

 

Young cannabis smokers run risk of lower IQ, report claims

More from Mark

Here's my report on new research that suggests young people who smoke cannabis run the risk of a significant and irreversible reduction in their IQ. The findings come from a study of about 1,000 people in New Zealand.

Although cannabis is widely used in the UK, possession can lead to up to five years in jail. The research has been seized on by both sides of the debate over whether to legalise cannabis.

 
Mark Easton, Home editor Article written by Mark Easton Mark Easton Home editor

The troubling secrets of England’s mental hospitals localisation->translate("watch"); ?>

10 hours ago

Perhaps even more disturbing than what we now know about the 'excessive' use of face-down restraint inside some English mental hospitals is what we don't know.

Watch Mark's report

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    Comment number 21.

    “Let’s keep some perspective. This is not huge. "You’re not becoming completely demented. Of course, it’s better to still have your extra eight IQ points, but it’s not something that’s enough to draw medical attention.”
    - Robin Murray, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London

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    Comment number 20.

    What is in fact the story here? Confirmation that the pro-legalisation groups have been right all along? Confirmation that the bullish tactics and persecution of adult users is wrong, or confirmation that the prohibition has no answers to the problems it's created?

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    Comment number 19.

    whoever it is moderating these comments you're a joker. my comments were more than acceptable stop being a ridiculous jobsworth and let the people speak. as a first time contributor on the bbc website i have to say the experience has been some what disgusting.

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    Comment number 18.

    maybe parents should read this
    Alcohol as a Gateway Drug: A Study of US 12th Graders

    Tristan Kirby MPH1,
    Adam E. Barry PhD2,*

    Article first published online: 19 JUN 2012

    Follow on studys also show higher risk of opiod abuse by young drinkers... could this be because of ethanols ability to drive production of opioids?

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    Comment number 17.

    # 7.Bluesberry (me) 29th August 2012
    I can't help notice this # 7 comment is getting negative feedback, but I wasn't being negative. If you are a young person facing bleak economy, what do you do - except something that makes you feel better, like cannabis, alcohol - escapism - & you don't think about your future IQ.

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