Marijuana Use Linked to Sleep Disruptions and Insomnia

As more states pass marijuana legislation, whether it is for recreational or medical marijuana use, new studies show that marijuana can have some harmful side effects, especially when used at a young age.

A new US-based study shows that smoking marijuana before the age of 15 can lead to insomnia later in life.

Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia found that many participants reported struggling to fall asleep, difficulty remaining asleep, experiencing non-restorative sleep, and feeling sleepy all day. The researchers found that participants who used marijuana beginning around age 15 had the highest reported incidence of sleep disturbances and insomnia.

“Current and past marijuana users are more likely to experience sleep problems,” said lead author Jilesh Chheda, research assistant at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, working with Dr Michael Grandner, the senior author on the study.

“The most surprising finding was that there was a strong relationship with age of first use, no matter how often people were currently using marijuana. People who started using early were more likely to have sleep problems as an adult,” Chheda said.

The study looked at 1,811 participants between ages 20 and 59 who responded that they had some history of marijuana use in the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Study.

The participants were grouped based on history of use, age of first use of marijuana, and number of times used in the past month. Sleep problems were considered severe if they occurred 15 days per month.

Although the study did not draw specific conclusions as to why marijuana use is linked to a higher incidence of insomnia or sleep problems, researchers suggested a higher rate of stress in marijuana users or pre-existing sleep disorders that the user self-treated with marijuana.

“Marijuana use is common, with about half of adults having reported using it at some point in their life,” said Chheda.

“As it becomes legal in many states (in the U.S.), it will be important to understand the impact of marijuana use on public health, as its impact on sleep in the ‘real world’ is not well known.”

Marijuana Use in South Carolina is Subject to Stuff Penalties

South Carolina still has incredibly stringent marijuana regulation, from simple possession to growing operations.

House Minority Leader Tim Rutherford recently proposed that South Carolina change its drug laws and allow for medical marijuana use, citing several studies that suggest that using marijuana in small doses can help patients who suffer long-term chronic illnesses like fibromyalgia or cancer.

DHEC can, as of a law in 1980, choose to dispense marijuana, but only if the federal government OK’s the drug’s use. While federal regulators have not officially OK’d the use of marijuana, either for medicinal or recreational use, the decriminalization of marijuana could pave the way for Rutherford’s proposal. State legislators are looking at a law that will allow for limited use of medical marijuana, but until then, all marijuana or cannabis oil possession in South Carolina is illegal.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Marijuana Drug Charges

Until the South Carolina state legislature loosens the restrictions on marijuana use, a first time offender charged with simple possession of marijuana can face up to thirty days in jail and be ordered to pay a fine, which can more than double when you add in court costs.

The marijuana trafficking and possession lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, LLC are dedicated to protecting the rights of our clients, providing aggressive representation grounded in our years of experience building and interpreting the laws of South Carolina. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case. 803.252.4800