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Adults can, but the problem with that is that their prefrontal cortex, which helps people think ahead, control their impulses, that's not fully developed until age 24. that explains why adolescents are much more vulnerable. >> there's something else that addiction experts believe is likely happening in the brain. when you smoke pot, the feel-good chemicals that make up marijuana called cannabinoids, remember them? they cause your brain to stop producing its own natural cannabinoids. when you stop smoking, you have no feel good cannabinoids of your own. until your body kickstarts production, yo...

This state of, you know -- >> and why that happens is exactly what columbia university neuroscientist carl hart is investigating. >> exhale. >> research subjects in his lab smoke marijuana and then take a variety of cognitive tests. >> the effects will be disruption in memory, disruptions in inhibitory control. they will become slower at cognitive functioning, a wide range of things. these effects are temporary, but they're pretty pronounced, and they are clear. >> and it's slowly becoming clear to scientists what part of the brain is most affected. it's the prefrontal cortex. >> it's very imp...

>> how do you know when you've done too much? >> simple tasks become very frustrating, like mixing paint, and then just sort of get into this state of, uhhhh, you know? >> and why that happens is exactly what columbia university neuroscientist carl hart is investigating. >> exhale. >> research subjects in his lab smoke marijuana and then take a variety of cognitive tests. >> the effects will be disruption in memory, disruptions in inhibitory control. they will become slower at cognitive functioning, a wide range of things. these effects are temporary, but they're pretty pronounced, and they ar...

Scientists what part of the brain is most affected. it's the prefrontal cortex. it's important for planning, thinking, coordinating your behaviors. we think that marijuana can disrupt all of those behaviors. >> an impairment that could be dangerous when driving. >> you may prematurely hit the gas pedal or brakes. you may make a turn without looking more carefully. >> look at this experiment done by cnn affiliate in washington state. subject's smoked marijuana and then drove. one was a daily medical marijuana smoker and another an infrequent weekend smoker. >> relaxed and buzzed. >> the more th...

It's the prefrontal cortex. >> it's very important for planning, thinking, coordinating your behaviors. there are tons of marijuana receptors in this region, and we think that marijuana, particularly in the novice, can disrupt all of those behaviors. >> an impairment that hart cautions could be dangerous. especially when driving. >> you may prematurely hit your brakes. you may prematurely hit the gas pedal. a wide range of things. you may make a turn without looking more carefully. >> look at this experiment done by cnn affiliate kiro in washington state. subjects smoke marijuana and then drov...