Marijuana &Teens
Many teenagers experiment with marijuana. Friends, peer pressure, and portrayal of
marijuana in the media often affect a teenager’s decision to use. Parents can also play an
important role in teaching their children about the risks of using drugs.
Buying and using marijuana is illegal. Still, teen marijuana use is at its highest in 30
years, and teens are now more likely to use marijuana than tobacco. In 2011, a national
study showed that one in eight 8th graders, one in four 10th graders, and one in three 12th
graders have used marijuana in the past year.
There are over 200 different street names for marijuana. Many of them are based on the
type of drugs or tobacco that is mixed in with the marijuana, “brands” from various areas
in the country or around the world, or specially bred strains. Some common names
include blunt, bud, pot, spliff, and weed. “K2” and “spice” are examples of synthetic
(man-made) marijuana-like drugs. There are also street names for smoking marijuana,
including blazing, bonging, puffing, and toking.
Parents and Prevention
Talking with your child when they are in elementary or middle school in an honest and
open way can prevent drug use in the future. The following are tips on for how to discuss
marijuana with your child:
Ask what he/she has heard about using marijuana. Listen carefully, pay attention,
and do not interrupt. Avoid making negative or angry comments.
Offer your child facts about the risks and consequences of smoking marijuana
Ask your child to give examples of the effects of marijuana. This will help you
make sure that your child understands what you talked about.
If you choose to talk to your child about your own experiences with drugs, be
honest about your reasons, be careful not to glamorize marijuana or other drugs,
and discuss the negative things and dangers that resulted from you or your
friends’ drug use
Sometimes parents may suspect that their child is already using marijuana. The following
are common signs of marijuana use:
Dizziness
Acting silly for no reason
Being hungry and eating more than usual
Red eyes or use of eye drops
Increased irritability or grumpiness
Reduced motivation and lack of interest in usual activities
Trouble remembering things that just happened A smell on clothes, or the use of incense or other deodorizers
Owning clothing, posters, or jewelry encouraging drug use
Having pipes or rolling papers
Stealing money or having money that cannot be accounted for
Many teenagers believe that marijuana is safer than alcohol or other drugs. When
discussing marijuana with your child, it is helpful to know the myths and the facts. The
following are some common myths about marijuana:
“It is harmless and natural, it is only an herb, and it won’t affect me long-term”
“It is not addictive”
“It doesn’t hurt me as much as smoking tobacco”
“It makes me feel calm”
“It doesn’t affect my thinking or my grades”
“It’s safe because it is used as medicine for cancer and other diseases”
Effects of Marijuana
Regular use of marijuana can lead to dependence, which causes users to have a very hard
time stopping. When teens use marijuana regularly, they may crave marijuana and give
up important activities to use marijuana. If they stop using, they may suffer from
withdrawal symptoms which can include irritability, anxiety, and changes in mood, sleep,
and appetite.
Marijuana can also cause serious problems with learning, feelings, and health.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the active ingredient in marijuana. THC affects the
brain’s control of emotions, thinking, and coordination.
Use of marijuana can lead to:
School difficulties
Problems with memory and concentration
Increased aggression
Car accidents
Use of other drugs or alcohol
Risky sexual behaviors
Increased risk of suicide
Increased risk of psychosis
Long-term use of marijuana can lead to:
The same breathing problems as smoking cigarettes (coughing, wheezing, trouble
with physical activity, and lung cancer)
Decreased motivation or interest
Lower intelligence
Mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, anger, moodiness, and
psychosis
Decreased or lack of response to mental health medication
Increased risk of side effects from mental health medication
Medical Marijuana
Currently, only man-made forms of THC are approved by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) for a very small number of specific medical uses. There are no
FDA-approved medical reasons for children or teenagers to use marijuana or THC
in any form.
“Medical marijuana” is not checked for ingredients, strength, or safety. There is no
evidence that medical marijuana is any safer than other marijuana.
The use of marijuana is illegal in the United States and prohibited by Federal law.
However, medical marijuana laws are different from state to state. Several states allow
the use of medical marijuana for adults. Almost all of these states still say that it is a
crime for minors to sell, have, or use marijuana.
Conclusion
Marijuana use in teens can lead to long-term problems. Teens rarely think they will end
up with problems related to marijuana use, so it is important to begin discussing the risks
with your child early and continue this discussion over time. Talking openly with your
child will help with prevention. If your child is already using, open communication will
help you know more about his or her use. If you have concerns about your child’s drug
use, talk with your child’s pediatrician or a qualified mental health professional
Quazi Imam, M.D.
Board Certified in Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Addiction Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Geriatric Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Forensic Psychiatry.
Former Assistant Professor of Psychiatry,
Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY.
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist,
Harvard Medical School Trained.
1833 W. Pioneer Parkway Tel: 682-323-4566
Arlington, Texas 76013
Many teenagers experiment with marijuana. Friends, peer pressure, and portrayal of
marijuana in the media often affect a teenager’s decision to use. Parents can also play an
important role in teaching their children about the risks of using drugs.
Buying and using marijuana is illegal. Still, teen marijuana use is at its highest in 30
years, and teens are now more likely to use marijuana than tobacco. In 2011, a national
study showed that one in eight 8th graders, one in four 10th graders, and one in three 12th
graders have used marijuana in the past year.
There are over 200 different street names for marijuana. Many of them are based on the
type of drugs or tobacco that is mixed in with the marijuana, “brands” from various areas
in the country or around the world, or specially bred strains. Some common names
include blunt, bud, pot, spliff, and weed. “K2” and “spice” are examples of synthetic
(man-made) marijuana-like drugs. There are also street names for smoking marijuana,
including blazing, bonging, puffing, and toking.
Parents and Prevention
Talking with your child when they are in elementary or middle school in an honest and
open way can prevent drug use in the future. The following are tips on for how to discuss
marijuana with your child:
Ask what he/she has heard about using marijuana. Listen carefully, pay attention,
and do not interrupt. Avoid making negative or angry comments.
Offer your child facts about the risks and consequences of smoking marijuana
Ask your child to give examples of the effects of marijuana. This will help you
make sure that your child understands what you talked about.
If you choose to talk to your child about your own experiences with drugs, be
honest about your reasons, be careful not to glamorize marijuana or other drugs,
and discuss the negative things and dangers that resulted from you or your
friends’ drug use
Sometimes parents may suspect that their child is already using marijuana. The following
are common signs of marijuana use:
Dizziness
Acting silly for no reason
Being hungry and eating more than usual
Red eyes or use of eye drops
Increased irritability or grumpiness
Reduced motivation and lack of interest in usual activities
Trouble remembering things that just happened A smell on clothes, or the use of incense or other deodorizers
Owning clothing, posters, or jewelry encouraging drug use
Having pipes or rolling papers
Stealing money or having money that cannot be accounted for
Many teenagers believe that marijuana is safer than alcohol or other drugs. When
discussing marijuana with your child, it is helpful to know the myths and the facts. The
following are some common myths about marijuana:
“It is harmless and natural, it is only an herb, and it won’t affect me long-term”
“It is not addictive”
“It doesn’t hurt me as much as smoking tobacco”
“It makes me feel calm”
“It doesn’t affect my thinking or my grades”
“It’s safe because it is used as medicine for cancer and other diseases”
Effects of Marijuana
Regular use of marijuana can lead to dependence, which causes users to have a very hard
time stopping. When teens use marijuana regularly, they may crave marijuana and give
up important activities to use marijuana. If they stop using, they may suffer from
withdrawal symptoms which can include irritability, anxiety, and changes in mood, sleep,
and appetite.
Marijuana can also cause serious problems with learning, feelings, and health.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the active ingredient in marijuana. THC affects the
brain’s control of emotions, thinking, and coordination.
Use of marijuana can lead to:
School difficulties
Problems with memory and concentration
Increased aggression
Car accidents
Use of other drugs or alcohol
Risky sexual behaviors
Increased risk of suicide
Increased risk of psychosis
Long-term use of marijuana can lead to:
The same breathing problems as smoking cigarettes (coughing, wheezing, trouble
with physical activity, and lung cancer)
Decreased motivation or interest
Lower intelligence
Mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, anger, moodiness, and
psychosis
Decreased or lack of response to mental health medication
Increased risk of side effects from mental health medication
Medical Marijuana
Currently, only man-made forms of THC are approved by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) for a very small number of specific medical uses. There are no
FDA-approved medical reasons for children or teenagers to use marijuana or THC
in any form.
“Medical marijuana” is not checked for ingredients, strength, or safety. There is no
evidence that medical marijuana is any safer than other marijuana.
The use of marijuana is illegal in the United States and prohibited by Federal law.
However, medical marijuana laws are different from state to state. Several states allow
the use of medical marijuana for adults. Almost all of these states still say that it is a
crime for minors to sell, have, or use marijuana.
Conclusion
Marijuana use in teens can lead to long-term problems. Teens rarely think they will end
up with problems related to marijuana use, so it is important to begin discussing the risks
with your child early and continue this discussion over time. Talking openly with your
child will help with prevention. If your child is already using, open communication will
help you know more about his or her use. If you have concerns about your child’s drug
use, talk with your child’s pediatrician or a qualified mental health professional
Quazi Imam, M.D.
Board Certified in Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Addiction Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Geriatric Psychiatry.
Board Certified in Forensic Psychiatry.
Former Assistant Professor of Psychiatry,
Mount Sinai School of Medicine, NY.
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist,
Harvard Medical School Trained.
1833 W. Pioneer Parkway Tel: 682-323-4566
Arlington, Texas 76013
