As marijuana becomes more widely accepted for medical, recreational, and stress-relief purposes, a growing body of research
suggests adults aged 30 and above may want to rethink their habits. Still smoking weed at 30?
Learn what science has to say in this article.
Recent studies out of Australia indicate potential drawbacks for older cannabis users,
raising questions about its long-term impact on life outcomes.
If you’re smoking weed at 30 and still enjoy the occasional joint, new research from
The University of Queensland may have some sobering news.
A study examining the life outcomes of marijuana users revealed that adults continuing the habit after
30 tend to have lower success rates across various measures. These criteria include:
Interestingly, the study found these negative impacts only applied to those who continued smoking weed into their 30s,
suggesting younger, experimental use might not have the same consequences. However,
the researchers caution against overgeneralizing their findings.
Before swearing off marijuana altogether, it’s important to consider the study’s limitations.
While the research provides intriguing insights, it has several caveats that may impact its broader applicability:
1 – Narrow Demographics
The data is based on a localized Australian population consisting entirely of mothers.
Additionally, some of the information dates back to 1981, which may not reflect modern societal trends or diverse populations worldwide.
2 – Questionable Success Markers
The study uses criteria like home ownership and relationship status as markers of success,
which are highly subjective. Cultural and geographical factors heavily influence these measures.
For instance, many successful individuals today opt for renting or embracing a digital nomad lifestyle,
and being single doesn’t inherently indicate failure.
3 – Overlap with Other Drugs
The study didn’t fully account for the potential influence of polydrug use. Researchers admitted they
lacked sufficient data on other substances, such as synthetic drugs or opioids, that might also
contribute to the negative outcomes observed in some participants.
