Visuospatial Processing Decline Due to Cannabis Consumption in Nondependent High School Students

Abstract

Using cannabis (e.g., smoking marijuana) is becoming popular, partly due to a legalization trend across different countries. This tendency has resulted in cannabis consumption being accepted by society as if it were harmless. However, evidence shows that the use of this drug has detrimental effects on cognitive, academic, and professional performance, which tend to be larger in younger users (e.g., high school students). In this review article, we focus on the decline of visuospatial processing associated with cannabis consumption in nondependent or nonclinical high school students. We start by providing evidence of the pivotal role of visuospatial processing for learning. Next, we review experimental and correlational evidence of declines in visuospatial processing related to cannabis use. Three types of correlational studies are considered: (a) comparisons of declines between visuospatial processing and other cognitive tasks, (b) studies comparing declines between high school students and adult participants, and (c) stringent correlational studies (e.g., large samples, longitudinal data, twin studies). We also include evidence in abstinent cannabis conditions. We conclude that using cannabis may moderately impair visuospatial processing and learning in nondependent high school students, although the effects could disappear under abstinence and tend to be lower than on other cognitive functions. Instructional implications for educators and future research directions are discussed.