These data and subsequent analysis suggest that different trajectories of adolescent cannabis use are associated with distinct patterns of neural reward circuit function in early adulthood. Escalating marijuana use presents a higher risk for impaired motivation, including elevated depressive symptoms, anhedonia and poor educational attainment. It follows that alterations, perhaps the degradations of the reward circuitry, represent the mechanism by which cannabis users fail to attain their potential, resulting in both developmental and dose-dependent impairment in their higher-level functioning.

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