Medical researchers from the University of Tartu, led by an associate professor in psychiatry, Liina Haring, and a professor of human physiology, Eero Vasar, have concluded the results of the extensive survey “Drugs and Developing Brains”.
43% of subjects had used cannabis during their lifetime, for the first time at the age of 17-18 on average.
“Of the 16-year-old cannabis users who participated in the survey, 14.6% had tried the drug by the age of 13 and 68% before the age of 16.
“At about five years of age, a process starts from the occipital lobe of the cerebral cortex and reaches the frontal lobe by the age of 20 during which the cerebral cortex grows thinner.
“Moreover, regular cannabis use can cause changes in the brain, which can lead to emotional and cognitive disorders.
In addition, research shows that around 9% of those who have tried cannabis in their lifetime become everyday cannabis users and that 30% of those who have used high-THC products in the past year may develop an addiction to cannabis.
“Young cannabis users do not readily seek help when health problems occur and need more evidence-based information on the health risks associated with cannabis to choose their behaviour.
Recreational cannabis is not legalised in Estonia.