What are marijuana trends in children and teens? Learn about signs of dependency and how to talk to your child about the dangers of recreational drugs.
Marijuana use in teensis extremely prevalent in today’s society, with adolescent marijuana use at itshighest pointin the last 30 years. Afteralcohol, marijuana is the most commonly used substance by adolescent population. Although recreational use of marijuana is permitted in some states, the recreational use of marijuana in children and teens remains illegal in all states.
Marijuana plants are more potent than they used to be in the past, containing 2 to 3 times more THC than they used to. Cannabidiol, or CBD, has not increased in potency and remains at approximately 1%. It is important for parents to help children and teens understand the harmful impacts that marijuana use can have. Prevention, education and communication are key to minimize the chances of future dependency.
Teen Marijuana Use Trends
Many teenagers today do not perceivemarijuana useto be a threat, which often serves to derail prevention efforts.Marijuana use trendsshow that marijuana use is more prevalent in older adolescents than younger children. In 2016, the United States Department of Health and Human Servicesreported thatyouth smoking marijuanaincluded 5% of students in the 8thgrade, 14% of students in the 10th grade and 23% of students in12th grade.
Marijuana use in teenagers has significantly increased during the past ten years for 12th graders. Marijuana use rose from19–23%from 2007 to 2017, as reported by the United States Department of Health and Human Services in their 2016 report.
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Vaping is a new way to smoke marijuana, depicting another trend ofmarijuana and teens. A2017 surveyfound that 2% of 8th graders, 4% of 10th graders and 5% of 12 graders reported vaping marijuana in the last 30 days.
Marijuana as a Gateway Drug
Children and teenagers today do not view marijuana use as dangerous or hazardous like they did in the past. Framingmarijuana as a gateway drugdoes not seem to hold much credibility to today’s youth, as many do not believe that this claim is true or credible.
Some research shows that marijuana can be considered agateway drug. Data from the National Epidemiological Study of Alcohol Use and Related Disorders reported that individuals who used marijuana during the first part of the study weremore likelyto develop analcohol use disorderin the next three years.
Other research does not support the gateway theory, as some studies have shown that more than20%of people who use marijuana don’t go on to use more powerful drugs or develop addictions.
Methods of Marijuana Use
There are manyways to use marijuanaandmethods of marijuana useavailable today. The most common method of ingestionis through smoking marijuana by rolling it into joints or inhaling it through pipes, blunts or gravity bongs.
A somewhat new method of marijuana use is through vaping, where the active ingredients in marijuana can be inhaled as a vapor rather than smoke. Dabbing is a method similar to vaping but uses THC resins that have been taken from the marijuana plant.
Marijuana can also be ingested orally by baking or adding it to different types of food. Oils that have been retrieved from marijuana plants can be blended with food, used during cooking or baking or added into beverages.
Spraying is another newer method of marijuana use that involves infusing liquids with THC or CBD to make sprays that can be used under the tongue. Topical methods of marijuana use can also be used. Topical oils are extracted from the marijuana plant and can be absorbed through the skin.
Common methods of ingesting marijuana include:
- Smoking Pot:Smoking potis still the most common method of marijuana use.Kids smoking weedcan roll marijuana into joints or smoke through pipes or blunts.
- Eating Marijuana Edibles:Marijuana ediblesare a form of marijuana where the drug is baked or added to various kinds of food.Cannabis ediblescan also include extracted oils from marijuana plants.Pot ediblesare currently being marketed in states where marijuana is legal in the form of cookies, cakes and lollipops.
- Marijuana Concentrates:Marijuana concentratesare extremely potent masses of THC that can be added to food or vaped.Concentrated marijuanacontains very high levels of THC that range from40–80%. This type of marijuana may be up tofour timesstronger than marijuana, with THC levels of about20%.
Dangers of Marijuana Use in Teenagers
Thedangers of marijuana use in teenagershave intensified due to higher levels of THC being used. Elevated THC levels can increase the risk for negative effects, although the actual consequences of exposure to THC levels are still being studied.
Research is ongoing regarding the long-term effects of marijuana on health, although popular opinion is that theeffects of marijuana on teens can be harmful. Somestudieshave shown that marijuana can have a negative impact on thebrain development of teenagers, potentially causing changes to the size, blood flow and quality of connections in the brain. Marijuana use in adolescence may also be associated with lower IQ scores and reduced memory and attention span.
Risk of Concentrated Marijuana Abuse
Concentrated marijuanacan have a larger physical and psychological impact on teenagers due to the potency and high levels of THC. The long-term effects ofmarijuana concentratesremain unknown, although short-term effects include a powerful high, hallucinations, significant behavioral changes and increased risk for overdose.
How Teens Become Addicted to Marijuana
Teens often begin using marijuana recreationally and maintain the belief that their usage is safe and harmless. However, as usage increases, dependency can occur without them even realizing that it’s occurring. Teenagers are at risk for developing a dependence to marijuana because their brains are still developing.
The THC in marijuana impacts neural connections in an adolescent’s brain, which triggers the release of dopamine.Teen marijuana addictionoccurs when teenagers continue to use marijuana more frequently to regain a high.Teens addicted to marijuanacontinually seek the euphoria associated with a THC high, causing them to use more frequently with more potent methods. Research shows that about9%of people who use marijuana becomeaddicted toit, and this number is elevated to 17% for those who begin using marijuana at a young age.
Signs of Teen Marijuana Addiction
There are severalsigns of marijuana addictionthat can alert parents that their child may need professional intervention.Teen addictioncan result in negative consequences at home and school.
Somesigns of marijuana use in teenscan include:
- Lowered levels of motivation
- Decreased academic performance
- Isolation from family and friends
- Elevation in secretive behaviors
- Changes in social circles
- Increased absences in school
- Lack of interest and involvement in sports and activities
- Elevated levels ofanxietyanddepression
- Increased oppositional behaviors and disciplinary actions in school
- Increased agitation, moodiness and irritability
- Red or glassy eyes
Teaching Teens About the Dangers of Recreational Drugs
Due to thedangers of recreational drug useand the impulsive decision making that often comes with adolescence, it is important for parents to maintain open communication with their children.Talking to your teenagerabout drugsis imperative for prevention and education and will encourage your teenager to make informed, positive choices.
Parents need to set limits and expectations, discuss the consequences ofrecreational druguse and help teenagers learn how to managepeer pressureand their emotions. Parents need to make sure their children know that, although recreational marijuana is legal in some states, it does not mean that it is not without risks, consequences or dangers.
Marijuana Addiction Help for Children and Teens
Marijuana addiction helpand professional treatment are available forteens addicted to marijuana. Depending on the severity of the addiction,marijuana addiction treatmentcan take place in aninpatientoroutpatientsetting. Ateen drug rehabspecialist can conduct a thorough assessment, develop an individualized treatment plan and determine if otherco-occurring disordersare present. Teenagers can participate in individual, group and family therapy in addition to aftercare planning and maintenance to prevent the risk ofrelapse.
Key Points: Marijuana Abuse in Children and Teens
- Marijuana abuse in adolescentsis on the rise and is the second most abused drug in the adolescent population
- Trends show that teenagers no longer identify marijuana as a potential threat to their health and well-being
- Marijuana use in teenagers can have a negative impact on the developing brain and on executive brain functions such as memory and attention
- There are many methods of marijuana use including smoking, oral ingestion and marijuana concentrates that can be added into food or electronically vaped
- Marijuana concentrates have potent levels of THC that have short-term consequences and can increase the risk ofoverdose
- Signs of marijuana use often include decreased academic performance, isolating behaviors, increased agitation and lowered levels of motivation and interest in pleasurable activities
- Teaching teenagers about the dangers of recreational drug use is critical for prevention
- Treatment can help teenagers addicted on marijuana and can take place in inpatient or outpatient settings depending on the severity of addiction
If your child or teenager is struggling with marijuana addiction,contactone of the addiction specialists at The Recovery Village for confidential assistance. An addiction specialist can help you assess your child’s situation and advise if further action may be warranted. If your child or teenager may benefit from further intervention, a knowledgeable addiction specialist can discusssubstance abuse treatment optionswith you.
