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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2012 Mar 1.
Published in final edited form as: J Addict Med. 2011 Mar 1;5(1):1–8. doi: 10.1097/ADM.0b013e31820c23fa

TABLE 2.

A Summary of Research Findings on the Effects of Cannabis on Executive Functions

Executive Function Measured Acute Effects Residual Effects Long-Term Effects
Attention/Concentration Impaired (light users)
Normal (heavy users)		 Mixed findings Largely normal
Decision Making & Risk Taking Mixed findings Impaired Impaired
Inhibition/Impulsivity Impaired Mixed findings Mixed findings
Working Memory Impaired Normal Normal
Verbal Fluency Normal Mixed findings Mixed findings

Note: Acute Effects denotes 0–6 hours after last cannabis use; Residual Effects denotes 7 hours to 20 days after last cannabis use; Long-Term Effects denotes 3 weeks or longer after last cannabis use.