The data is in that medical marijuana laws have not significantly increased the number of youth using marijuana. However there is concern that newer blasé attitudes towards marijuana amongst adults and kids have resulted in more frequent use among youth and an increased sense that frequent use has no adverse impacts. A few concerns we should all have about youth marijuana use:
- Teen brains are not fully developed. We know from brain scans that frequent marijuana use has a major impact on the areas of a brain that should be exhibiting increased synaptic activity in adolescence. Students tell me “my daily pot smoking is not impacting my life, because I have a 3.5 GPA.” My response to that is, “what would your GPA be if you did not smoke pot daily?”
- Today’s pot is much stronger than the pot of 20 years ago. The government evaluates cannabis strength at the University of Mississippi. Current data puts the average potency at 12.3 percent Tetrahydrocannabinol in 2012 in contrast to 1993 when it was 3.4 percent. Some of the samples have been evaluated as high as 36 percent. Doctor’s in emergency rooms and rehabilitation programs have witnessed a large increase in cannabis induced psychosis among teens. Particularly when youth smoke “wax,” “dabs” or hash oil, which have an even higher THC concentration. Some of these teens will develop schizophrenia.
- Many youth (and adults) believe smoking and driving are not dangerous. The National Highway Safety Transportation Administration reports, “one in eight high school seniors responding to a 2010 survey admitted to driving after smoking marijuana. Nearly a quarter of drivers killed in drug-related car crashes were younger than 25. Likewise, nearly half of fatally injured drivers who tested positive for marijuana were younger than 25.” Marijuana directly affects the part of the brain responsible for reaction time. In most states, a DWI/DUI will cost about $10,000 to remove from your record and may result in loss of driving privileges for an extended period of time.
- One in 10 adults and one in six adolescents who try marijuana will become addicted (meaning their marijuana use will negatively disrupt their lives). Do you want your child to be that one out of six? Youth who use marijuana are more likely to use alcohol and cigarettes. Youth who use three or more substances are more likely to move on to stronger illegal substances like cocaine and prescription medications.