Smoking pot among teens has increased inadvertently as more and more states continue to approve the decriminalization of medical marijuana possession and use that is the latest finding of the federal government based on data gathered by the University of Michigan on behalf of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

Stephen Gray Wallace in his article for YouHoustonNews.com pointed out that the alarming rise in the illicit use of marijuana among American teens may be attributed to how many states continue to loosen their restriction belt on "marijuana sales, possession and use."

It can be noted that a few years ago, the national SADD organization has already predicted this possible outcome when it attempted to hinder this act of legitimizing the circulation of medicinal marijuana.

"Decriminalization would encourage increased use, including among teenagers," the national SADD organization said back then. "Decriminalization also sends the message that marijuana is harmless, which is not the case. The developing brains of teenagers are susceptible to negative changes as a result of drug and alcohol use, and these changes can be permanent."

Today, NIDA director Dr. Nora D. Volkrow said while citing a new study conducted by experts at Northwestern University, "What is worrisome is that we're seeing high levels of everyday use of marijuana among teenagers ... the type that is most likely to have negative effects on brain function and performance."

In the study conducted at Northwestern University, scientists found out that there is a decline in the "working memory" of marijuana users.

Matthew J. Smith, one of the authors of the study said that working memory is "a strong predictor of academic success." It is very important in the realization of certain tasks such as solving puzzles, remembering figures, and processing information quickly.

While the NIDA report didn't quantify the number of teens that are into smoking pot, federal statistics revealed that more than 12 percent of eight graders and about 36 percent of high school seniors from both public and private schools have reportedly engaged into the illicit use of marijuana last year. The said report also concluded that nearly 60% of the said seniors believed that smoking pot is not at all harmful to the human body.