Which statement describes how cannabis can affect memory and coordination in the short term?

• A. Cannabis can improve short-term memory.
• B. Cannabis can impair short-term memory and concentration, slow reaction time, and alter perception.
• C. Cannabis has no effect.
• D. Cannabis only affects long-term memory.

Answer: (B)

When looking at how cannabis affects memory and coordination in the short term, the key idea is that it temporarily disrupts thinking and movement. The active compound in cannabis, THC, binds to receptors in parts of the brain involved in memory, attention, and movement. This makes it harder to form and recall new information, reduces the ability to concentrate, slows down reaction time, and can alter how things are perceived (like time and space). These effects are usually temporary and fade as the drug leaves the body, but they can significantly impair tasks that require quick thinking and precise coordination, such as driving.

The idea that memory could be improved is not supported by how cannabis works, and saying there’s no effect or that only long-term memory is affected doesn’t match the immediate, short-term disruptions people experience while intoxicated.