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Sativa Pranita Santosh The keyword I have chosen for this assignment is Sativa. Sativa is one of two common strains of cannabis and is often known for its possible highly stimulating effects on an individual. The counterpart to Sativa is Indica, known for its potential effects of inducing deep relaxation. When looking at Sativa, one of the reasons youth usually gravitate towards it is because of the common idea that it causes them to be more alert and aware of their surroundings, allowing them to focus more effectively. However, research shows that different types of sativa affect each individual differently. While some may feel high, others would feel low. In one study, they found that youth who start smoking as early as 16 often find themselves having poor reaction time, bad memory and as well as a shorter attention span (Jacobus & Tapert, 2014), which contradicts the popular belief mentioned earlier that Sativa allows for more focus. Jacobus’ and Tapert’s article (2014) also mentions how the use of sativa can often bring out or enhance underlying medical conditions, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This raises the question of how brain development is affected by using Sativa as an adolescent vs. an adult. The different strains of marijuana are usually introduced to youth and adolescents in their early teens, which is a time of exploration. It is also a time when they are more perceptible to peer pressure. The need to fit in and a fear of missing out are driving factors that may lead youth to start smoking. This means that many adolescents initially use marijuana without knowing its long-term effects. As marijuana becomes more normalized, it is important to start educating our youth on it from an earlier age. This education would allow them to make more informed, safe, self-directed decisions. Discussed thus far are the reasons and effects of Sativa from a recreational use point of view. However, in many cases, it is used as a medical treatment for youth. Prescription Sativa is
