Cannabis is the dried leaves and flowers of the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant. It can be smoked, mixed into foods, vaped, or brewed into tea. Regardless of how it is used, use of cannabis can be risky for teens.
Why?
Teens Have A Higher Chance Of Addiction
Research has shown that teens who begin using marijuana before the age of 18 are more likely to develop Cannabis use disorder. Not everyone’s body responds to cannabis the same way and teens who begin using cannabis and stop use can experience withdrawal symptoms such as:
- Irritability
- Low appetite
- Stomach pain
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
There Is A Higher Chance Of Automobile Accidents
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “In 2017, 10.3% of 12th graders reported driving after using (cannabis) in the past two weeks.” Cannabis use in teens means a higher chance of automobile accidents due to impaired judgement and reduced skills like alertness, coordination, and concentration—especially when combined with alcohol.
Cannabis Can Negatively Impact Teen Brain Development
As teens, brains are not yet fully developed. Drug use, including cannabis, can have a negative impact on that development. Regular use can impair their ability to plan, memory and learning skills, and attention.
Cannabis Can Damage Lung Health
Cannabis can damage the lungs of teens, much like cigarettes. This is because smoke is often held in the lungs longer before being released. Smoking cannabis can also cause chronic bronchitis and the smoke has been shown to injure the cells of airways.
Vaping Cannabis is not safer, as vaping can contain volatile organic compounds, heavy metals, and chemicals known to cause severe lung disease.
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PreventEd was created with the goal of educating our youths and communities about the dangers of substance misuse. We are committed to providing the resources teens and parents need to talk about drugs and alcohol in a healthy, constructive way.