Democracy Dies in Darkness

7 unexpected takeaways from the newest research on cannabis and brain effects

Whether it’s used in adolescence, midlife or older age may make a big difference.

Illustration of a brain with cannabis shadows.
(Illustration by Natalie Vineberg/The Washington Post; iStock)
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Stephen Lankenau has spent years studying how people use cannabis in everyday life. As director of Drexel University’s Medical Cannabis Research Center, he has watched legalization spread, products grow stronger and daily use become increasingly common.

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What readers are saying

The comments reflect a wide range of perspectives on cannabis use, highlighting both positive and negative experiences. Some users report benefits such as pain relief, improved sleep, and reduced anxiety, while others express concerns about addiction, cognitive decline, and... Show more
This summary is AI-generated. AI can make mistakes and this summary is not a replacement for reading the comments.
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Ariana Eunjung Cha is a national reporter. She has previously served as The Post's bureau chief in Shanghai and San Francisco, and as a correspondent in Baghdad.@arianaeunjung
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