Researchers Question Link Between Pot Smoking and IQ Drop

Socioeconomic differences cited as cause for flaws in weed smokers' data

Researchers at Duke University last year linked habitual pot smoking in teen years to a long-term drop in IQ. But new analysis is challenging that report, citing differences in participants’ socioeconomic status as the reasons for the variance. In findings published online Monday, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences say the IQ trend, showing a drop between ages 13 and 38, may have emerged from factors like income, education and occupation. Researcher Ole Rogeberg said he used a computer simulation that mimicked Duke’s study and that there was no way to conclude the IQ drop was caused mostly by marijuana use and not the socioeconomic factors. (Associated Press)

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