Marijuana is Stronger Today than Ever Before

Marijuana is currently available in multiple forms and consumed by youth through edibles, smoking, and vaping.  The THC concentration (the substance responsible for the “high”) in commonly cultivated marijuana plants has increased three-fold in recent years.  While the average THC concentration in the 1960s was 1% to 4%, dispensaries are selling products with average THC concentrations between 17.7% and 23.2%. Concentrated marijuana extracts, commonly known as dabs or waxes, are far more widely available to the public today and sold through dispensaries.  These extracts can deliver extremely large amounts of THC to the body when vaped or smoked.

Young People are More Vulnerable to Addiction than Adults

Because young people’s brains are still developing into their mid-20s, they build synapses faster than adult brains as they develop.  Addiction is a form of learning, so adolescents can get addicted more easily than adults. Research shows that about 1 in 6 teens who repeatedly use marijuana can become addicted. This means they may unsuccessfully try to quit using marijuana, may want to use marijuana despite negative consequences, or will voluntarily pass up events with family and friends to use marijuana.

Youth and Impaired Driving

There is a common, yet false, perception among users of marijuana that they “drive safer” when they’re high. Driving while impaired by any substance, including marijuana (medical or otherwise), is dangerous. Marijuana negatively affects a number of skills required for safe driving, including reaction time, coordination, and concentration.  Couple that with inexperienced teen drivers, who think driving high is “safe,” and the outcomes could be potentially tragic. Additionally, teens who use marijuana are more likely to be a passenger of an impaired driver.

Increased Risk of Mental Health Issues

Marijuana can negatively affect a teen’s mental health.  Issues such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis are more common in teen marijuana users than their non-using peers, especially if marijuana-using teens have higher risk factors, like a family history of mental illness.  Marijuana-using teens are also at a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts than their non-using peers. Having mental health issues can also lead teens to try to cope with marijuana, despite the fact that marijuana use can negatively impact mental health. According to a couple of studies, “Teens dealing with a social anxiety disorder are more likely to start using marijuana at an earlier age.” 

What Can Parents Do?

The rules you set, the relationships you build, and the conversations you have about marijuana and other drugs make a BIG difference in the decisions teens make.  Kids who learn about the risks of marijuana, alcohol, and other drugs from their parents, and know their parents’ no-use expectations, are HALF as likely to ever use these drugs compared to their peers.

In order to protect your child from vaping, Parent Up encourages parents to CARE, CONNECT, COMMUNICATE and pay CAREFUL ATTENTION.  While this strategy is no guarantee, if implemented consistently and with intention, the likelihood of your child engaging in any substance use is much lower.

Care

Educate yourself and others about the harmful effects of marijuana (and all drug use) on the developing brain and make it a priority to protect your child from engaging in any substance use.  Start early and let your child know you care about their health and safety, and that you are speaking from a place of concern, love, and support.  These are tricky conversations and difficult situations to navigate with your kids, but a little work on the front end can protect your child’s health and safety for years to come. 

Care Action Steps: 

• Learn more about how dopamine and drugs like marijuana impact the vulnerable adolescent brain. 

• Read this important letter to parents so you can be informed and advocate for the health of your child.

• Review the risk factors that increase the risk of addiction and use this information to inform how you protect your child.  Build protective factors where you can.  

Connect Action Steps: 

• This TED Talk explores practical ideas for anyone who wants to create connections with kids.

• Eat Meals Together:  Kids who have dinner with their family on a regular basis are less likely to engage in risky behaviors.

• Set aside regular one-on-one time with your child to bond and have fun together.

• Brainstorm healthy ways to manage the stress in their life with your child (like getting more sleep, going outdoors, having “unplugged” time from the internet, etc.). Be open to your child’s suggestions and help them think through some ideas.

• Finding that connecting with your teen is difficult? Try these tips. 

Communicate

Visit our Talking Guides for tips on how to have conversations with your child about any substance use, depending on their age.  Keep in mind that the average age a child in Missouri first uses marijuana is age 14.  Having open and honest conversations about this topic, before and after this age, is important for preventing youth use.  According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, teens are less likely to try marijuana if they can ask parents for help when times are hard or stressful, and when they know how their parents feel about drug use. 

Make it clear to your child that you don’t approve of them using marijuana, but be curious and open-minded about their experiences.  Ask them what they think about marijuana. Their answer may surprise you. It’s more important – and effective– to listen and discuss rather than to lecture.  Instead of interrogating your child about whether or not they’ve used marijuana, it’s easier to start a conversation by asking what they’ve heard about it at school or if they’ve seen other kids using it.

Here are some things to say to your child about marijuana:

• “There’s a lot of information about marijuana out there but I want you to come to me with your questions.”

• “If you’re concerned about your friends using marijuana, let me know and we can talk about it.”  (In Missouri, more than 1 in 3 youth (34.5%) had at least one friend who smoked marijuana.)

• “There’s a lot of information about marijuana out there, but I want you to know that it is never okay for kids to use.”

• “Your brain is growing and marijuana isn’t good for growing brains.”

For more tips about talking to your child about marijuana, please check out the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids’ excellent and comprehensive Marijuana Talk Kit. 

You can also find a printable 

Careful Attention

As a general rule, know where your kids are at and who they are with.  Check in with your teenager before and after they go out. You can use our helpful “Going Out” Checklist.  Watch for any early signs or symptoms of marijuana use and be on alert for changes in behaviors, friend groups, or attitudes. 

Careful Attention Action Steps: 

Signs that Your Child Might Be Using Marijuana

Appearance

• Looking “stoned” – glassy, red eyes. Out of it. Slurred speech.

• Dry mouth

• Decreased personal hygiene from what was “normal” for them

• Smell – marijuana has a very “skunky” type smell

Changes in Behavior

• Disrupted learning and memory

• A drop in grades and/or quitting activities

• Difficulty with thinking and problem solving

• Increased appetite – “munchies” – beyond what is normal

• More tired and less motivated

• Inappropriate laughter

• Distorted perception (sights, sounds, time, touch)

• Loss of motor coordination

• Anxiety

• Heavy use of breath mints, mouthwash, gum and/or eye drops

• Use of incense or other deodorizers in bedroom

• Rolling papers, bong, pipe, and/or vaping equipment – A good rule of thumb is, if you see anything you don’t recognize, it’s time to start asking questions and doing research.

Know or suspect someone who might be providing marijuana to teens? You can send the Marijuana Parent Up Warning Letter to the adults at the residence informing them of the harm it does to youth and asking them to stop.

Worried your child may be using marijuana? The Partnership to End Addiction can help.