Marijuana is gradually gaining acceptance worldwide. People are starting to use it for various reasons, like medical needs, anxiety relief, or just for fun. However, recent studies are raising questions about whether it’s a good choice for adults aged 30 and older. This suggests that those in this age group might want to think twice about using it.
Smoking Marijuana After 30 Might Not Be A Good Idea
If you’re 30 or older and like to smoke marijuana now and then (or even regularly), you might want to think about cutting back. Research from Australia indicates that it could be a good idea. Scientists looked into the life outcomes of people who use marijuana and found some concerning results for those over 30.
A research team from The University of Queensland studied the success outcomes of marijuana and amphetamine users. They analyzed data from over 8,000 mothers and 2,000 children regarding drug use at ages 21 and 30. The findings showed that using marijuana was linked to lower success rates based on nine specific criteria.
- Education
- Income
- Home ownership
- Relationship status
- Reported happiness
More importantly, however, is that these lowered success rates only applied to those who continued smoking marijuana after the age of 30.
The Study’s Limitations
Before you start feeling worried about needing to stop your habit by the time you turn 30 (or that you should have already), try not to stress too much. This study has a lot of limitations, which means the results might not really apply to everyone.
1. Strange Data
This data comes from Australia and only includes female mothers. It’s really specific to that area, so it might not reflect what’s happening in other countries. Some of the information goes back to 1981, which means it might not be relevant to today’s global population.
2. Markers of Success
One limitation is the criteria they use to measure success. For instance, two of these criteria are owning a home and being in a relationship. Both of these can be affected by cultural and geographical factors. Homeownership, for example, often depends more on personal choices and where someone lives rather than their level of success. It can also be influenced by whether a person has a family or wants to settle down in a specific area. With more people choosing a digital nomad lifestyle, owning a home doesn’t always mean you’re successful.
Relationship status is another complicated factor when thinking about success. This too can be shaped by cultural and geographical influences. There are many successful single individuals, just as there are couples who face challenges in other parts of their lives. For some, being in a relationship is a key part of their personal success, but it doesn’t automatically mean success for everyone.
3. Other Drug Use
The study also didn’t look to see if those on the end of highly un-successful were using other drugs as well as marijuana and/or amphetamines.
“We do not have adequate data on other illicit drugs that may be being used, for example, ecstasy, opiates and even synthetic drugs,” the researchers admitted in their paper. “A subset of those using cannabis as well as amphetamines may also be using a range of other drugs and it may be that our findings reflect polydrug use generally rather than the specific use of cannabis and amphetamines.”
What Does This Mean For You?
The study really shows that trying out drugs a little when you’re young doesn’t automatically mean you’ll fail as an adult. But it does warn that you should be careful not to become dependent on them when you grow up. Using drugs like marijuana too much as an adult can affect how well you do at your job, your relationships, and your overall stability in life.
So, if you choose to use marijuana, that’s your decision. Just make sure you don’t go overboard and let it control your life. If you notice you’re losing motivation, spending too much money on it, or it’s interfering with your work and personal life, it might be a good idea to think about stopping.
Sources
- “Do cannabis and amphetamine use in adolescence predict adult life success: a longitudinal study.” T and F Online. Jake M. Najman, et al. July 11, 2021.
- “Support For Marijuana Legalization In Australia Nearly Doubles In Six Years.” Forbes. A.J. Herrington. December 29, 2021.