RISKS & BENEFITS STATEMENT​

​

By signing this document, I acknowledge and agree to the following risks, benefits, warnings, and recommendations pertaining to marijuana usage:

 

RISKS:

• Mind-altering effects or “marijuana intoxication”

• Impaired thinking and memory and a decline in the ability to learn, especially with heavy usage.

• Possible impairment of cognitive and learning skills for children exposed to marijuana in utero (i.e. during pregnancy) or from breast feeding.  Marijuana can pass through the placenta to a fetus during pregnancy and is found in breast milk.

• Diminished balance and coordination.

• Increased chance of heart attack.

• Possible increase risk of stroke, especially with heavy usage.

• Increased risk of respiratory infection.

• Smoking marijuana, while an effective delivery system for the drug, also poses many of the same risks as smoking cigarettes such as:

1. Chronic respiratory dysfunction (especially problematic in those with asthma, COPD, or other underlying respiratory conditions).

2. Cancer of the lungs (or any part of the airway including the mouth, throat, trachea, etc).

3. Potential for abuse or addiction.

• Possible increased risk of other types of cancers as well

• Possible hallucinations

• There is a link between marijuana use and fatal accidents.  Some studies have shown that up to 10% of fatal accident victims test positive for THC.

• Possible interference with the immune system’s ability to fight off infections.

• Possible abuse or addiction. Irritability, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, and possibly increased aggression have been reported by people trying to stop after prolonged usage.

 

POSSIBLE BENEFITS:

• Reduction of nausea often associated with some medical conditions or treatments thereof, such as medications and chemotherapy.

• Reduction of elevated eye pressure as seen in glaucoma.

• Relief of pain from a variety of chronic disorders.

• Protection of nerves from the damage caused by multiple sclerosis (MS), which may reduce tremors and muscle spasms associated with the disease.

• Prevention of harmful plaque formation in the brain, which may delay symptomatic decline in Alzheimer’s dementia.

• Relief from generalized anxiety and other anxiety-driven disorders such as PTSD and OCD.

• Improved sleep.

 

WARNINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Do not operate vehicles or potentially dangerous tools or machinery while under the influence of marijuana.

2. Be cautious about making significant decisions while under the influence of marijuana.

3. Because of the additional hazards associated with smoking, other forms of ingestion may be recommended such as oral or topical.

4. If you are pregnant (or at risk of becoming pregnant) and/or breastfeeding, marijuana use is NOT recommended, as it can pass through the placenta to the fetus and is also found in breastmilk.  If you become pregnant while using marijuana, please contact your physician.

5. You are responsible for following all the rules and laws pertaining to marijuana usage in the State of Michigan to ensure you are not breaking any laws, including (but not limited to) the laws that govern transportation, possession, quantity, cultivation, and location of usage.  Many of these rules can be found online at www.michigan.gov/mmp.

 

I HAVE READ THIS RISKS & BENEFITS STATEMENT, WITH WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, AND FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS CONTENTS.

​

PLEASE PRINT AND SIGN YOUR NAME BELOW, THEN PRESS SUBMIT.