"There were no differences in any of the mental or physical health outcomes that we measured, regardless of the amount or frequency of marijuana used during adolescence," said the lead researcher, Jordan Bechtold, PhD, a psychology research fellow at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
The study began surveying 14-year-oldmale Pittsburgh public school students. These young men were followed for 12 years by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Rutgers University to analyze various health issues.
The study included 22% of men who were chronic users of marijuana and showed almost the same signs like anxiety, asthma and depression in comparison to the infrequent users or non-smokers.
"We wanted to help inform the debate about legalization of marijuana, but it's a highly complicated issue and one study should not be taken in isolation," said Dr Bechtold.The researchers accentuate the fact that the study cannot be taken with certitude as women were not a part of this study and men above the age of 30 weren't examined.
A petition calling for the total legalization of this drug in UK has been signed by more than 125,000 people. Campaigners assert that, legalization of marijuana would bring in £900m in taxes every year, save £400m on policing cannabis and create over 10,000 new jobs.
