Marijuana use is becoming more accepted for medical and recreational purposes, but a new study suggests adults over 30 may want to think twice. Research from The University of Queensland found that continuing marijuana use past 30 is linked to lower success in areas like income, education, and happiness.

The study followed over 8,000 mothers and 2,000 children, analyzing drug use at ages 21 and 30…..

The research, which was conducted over several years, revealed significant patterns in the lives of individuals who continued using marijuana beyond their 30s. The findings suggest that persistent marijuana use can have a lasting impact on a person’s ability to achieve their goals and maintain stability in key areas of life.

For example, individuals who used marijuana regularly after the age of 30 were found to have lower levels of education and were less likely to hold steady, higher-paying jobs compared to those who either never used or stopped using marijuana by their early 30s.

Moreover, the study found that ongoing marijuana use was linked to a decrease in overall life satisfaction and happiness. This included both emotional well-being and subjective measures of life success, with users reporting higher levels of stress and dissatisfaction with their personal and professional lives.

The researchers also noted that, while marijuana use was not found to be the sole cause of these issues, the drug appeared to be a contributing factor that compounded other challenges individuals faced.

The study further pointed out that the cognitive and motivational effects of long-term marijuana use could impact decision-making skills and reduce the ability to plan for the future, making it harder for individuals to achieve their full potential. The effects were particularly noticeable in those who began using marijuana in their teenage years and continued into adulthood.

However, the researchers also acknowledged that the findings are not meant to vilify marijuana use altogether. Instead, they emphasize the importance of understanding the long-term implications of its use, especially for those entering adulthood, when career and personal life decisions can be more heavily influenced by external factors.

With marijuana use becoming more common and accessible, experts argue that further research is needed to fully understand its potential impacts on health and life outcomes, particularly as more people incorporate it into their daily routines.

The study’s authors encourage adults, particularly those over 30, to weigh the potential effects of continued marijuana use carefully and consider how it may affect their long-term goals and overall happiness.