As more states legalize marijuana, teen’s risk perception of marijuana decreases.¹ And as summer boredom sets in, teens are more likely to smoke marijuana in the coming months. Despite teens lowered risk-perception, there are still dangers to marijuana use:

Regular Marijuana Use Increases Chances of Psychosis

A recent study found “consuming pot on a daily basis and especially using high-potency cannabis increases the odds of having a psychotic episode later.” ² The study also showed that those who used pot daily were “three times more likely to have a psychotic episode” than those who had never used marijuana and starting use at “15 or younger had a slightly more elevated risk than those who started using in later years.” ²

Marijuana Use Can Cause Problems Later On

Marijuana consumption during adolescence is correlated to lower levels of overall life satisfaction.³ It also contributes to attention, memory, and information processing problems, which can severely inhibit individuals academically. These problems get worse the longer a person uses but can see a decline once a person stops using. However, marijuana use now can have an impact down the road when if it affects how well a person does in school or what kind of job they get.

Driving Ability is Severely Impacted

Drivers under the influence of marijuana have delayed reactions, impaired motor skills and coordination, and impaired tracking abilities. These effects can be seen for up to 10 hours after using marijuana. Drivers who test positive for marijuana or self-report using marijuana are more than twice as likely as other drivers to be involved in motor vehicle crashes.⁴ When combined with alcohol and/or other drugs, the likelihood of crashing increases exponentially.

You Can’t Technically OD But It’s Still Dangerous

Marijuana doesn’t interact with our bodies in the same way as alcohol or other drugs. Therefore, you can’t actually overdose on marijuana. However, marijuana use can result in fainting or passing out, delirium, extreme paranoia, loss of reality, or a feeling of being “frozen in time.” All of these can result in dangerous actions, both to self and others.

Help the teens in your life make smart decisions. Make sure they know the facts about marijuana use and the dangers behind it. Sign up for our marijuana prevention course, Marijuana-Wise HS, today. Visit dev.3rdmil.com for more details.

Resources:

 

  1. Cerdá, M., Wall, M., Feng, T., Keyes, K. M., Sarvet, A., Schulenberg, J., … Hasin, D. S. (2017). Association of State Recreational Marijuana Laws With Adolescent Marijuana Use. JAMA pediatrics, 171(2), 142–149. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2016.3624

  2. Chatterjee, R. (2019, March 19). Daily Marijuana Use And Highly Potent Weed Linked To Psychosis. Retrieved June 19, 2019, from https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/03/19/704948217/daily-marijuana-use-and-highly-potent-weed-linked-to-psychosis

  3. Georgiades, K., & Boyle, M. H. (2007). Adolescent tobacco and cannabis use: Young adult outcomes from the Ontario Child. Health Study. Journal o f Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 48(1), 8.

  4. Li, M. C., Brady, J. E., DiMaggio, C. J., Lusardi, A. R., Tzong, K. Y., & Li, G. (2011). Marijuana use and motor vehicle crashes. Epidemiologic reviews, 34(1), 65-72.