We should be well into the times of determining the damage or lack thereof of long term illegal drug use, as many of those who initially experimented enter their senior years. Will we see increases in mental health disorders, Cancers, heart disease with this generation VS past generations? Can we isolate those that have had a fling with illegal drugs with those that became users and what was the drug of choice? Adding to this complexity is whether such a study can actually isolate the effects of these drugs vs thousands of other contributors. Yet in the end this study should and must be attempted as efforts to legalize Marijuana and other illegal substances gain steam we must know what could be the effect on individuals and society years in the future.
FOOTNOTE- Of course if we find positive long term effects of these substances that must be noted as well.