Marijuana for recreational and medicinal purposes is becoming more widely available and simpler to purchase every day. Furthermore, opinions about the drug’s possible risks have changed as a result of recent legislative modifications, especially among young teenagers.

While proper use of marijuana can offer health benefits for specific conditions, inappropriate use can lead to a variety of problems. It can severely impact health, situational judgment, memory, coordination, and more.

Given that marijuana has rapidly become a much more commonly used drug among young people, it is crucial to recognize the main signs of marijuana use in teens to ensure their safety and well-being.

Statistics on Child Marijuana Use

Though the stats may surprise you, marijuana is the most often used narcotic among teenagers. Among children between the ages of 12 and 17, the National Center for Drug Abuse reports that:

– Nearly 44% have tried marijuana in their lifetime, up from 37% in 2019.

– 35% used marijuana in the past year.

– Almost 7% of 12th graders use marijuana daily.

Regretfully, eighth, ninth, and tenth kids are exposed to an alarmingly high level of marijuana. Early usage is problematic since those who start using earlier have a greater likelihood of heavier use later in life.

How THC Impacts the Brain

The active element in cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which produces the “high” associated with marijuana. THC can be ingested by smoking cannabis flowers, vaping concentrated forms, or eating THC-infused foods. THC impacts the brain by interfering with processes that are typically controlled by naturally existing endocannabinoids.

The brain grows from birth to the mid-twenties, and consuming marijuana at a young age can interrupt this important development. Early marijuana usage appears to influence brain development, according to recent research.

The effects of cannabis on the brain are extensive:

– Executive Functioning: Skills necessary for daily life, such as focus, memory, problem-solving, planning, reasoning, and emotional control, are compromised.

– Working Memory: The ability to remember and later recall or use information is reduced.

– Lingering Effects: The impact of cannabis use can last well beyond the period of intoxication. Even if someone smokes on a weekend, the effects can persist into the following week. Regular use leads to a persistent decline in executive functioning, working memory, and other cognitive areas.

Cannabis use interferes with the brain’s circuits, and it remains uncertain whether the brain can fully recover if marijuana use is discontinued.

Signs Your Child is Using Cannabis

Recognizing if your child is using marijuana can involve noticing various signs, including:

– Hair or clothes with a pungent marijuana smell

– Red or bloodshot eyes

– Delayed reaction times

– Mood swings

– Laziness and tiredness

– Presence of marijuana-related paraphernalia

– Paranoia or anxiousness

– Increased hunger or “munchies”

Visible Signs of Marijuana Use

Shortly after usage, marijuana’s effects can be perceived both visually and aromatically. It is very suggestive of marijuana usage if your adolescent returns home with red or bloodshot eyes. Physical and mental delays in response times and problems with muscular coordination are further symptoms.

Cannabis has a unique fragrance that is another warning clue; it is frequently characterized as having a pungent, musky smell like that of a skunk. On your teen’s clothes, this odor might cling rather readily.

Changes in Emotional State

The body and mind might react differently to different strains or varieties of marijuana. Teenage marijuana usage is frequently indicated by mood swings, lethargy, and general exhaustion in their day-to-day demeanor. Depending on how their body responds, they might also seem nervous and exhibit an elevated heart rate.

Your youngster may struggle to focus at job, school, or home as a result of these changes, which frequently results in subpar performance and grades. This decrease might be a clear indication that marijuana use has turned into an addiction.

Educating Your Child about Marijuana

Regardless of whether you suspect your child is using cannabis, it’s important to discuss it. Parents and caregivers should talk about all types of dangerous substances, including nicotine, alcohol, and cannabis, with children as early as elementary school.

It’s important to be proactive and talk to your youngster about the risks associated with marijuana. These talks may serve to deter marijuana usage or at the very least postpone the initial experience until the mid-20s, when the brain is more completely matured.

As teenagers become older, their need for independence grows, which makes it harder for parents to control their actions. Still, parents need to persevere. It is significantly more dangerous to consume cannabis than it is uncomfortable to have a difficult talk.

Addressing Marijuana Use and Seeking Help

For teenagers’ wellbeing, it is essential to identify and treat marijuana usage. It’s crucial to handle the matter with compassion and support if you think your child may be consuming marijuana. Discussing its usage, the rationale behind it, and any possible hazards should come first in an honest and nonjudgmental discussion. Give your child access to a secure environment where they may talk about their thoughts and experiences. You can gain insight into their viewpoint and advice on how to make better decisions by having this discussion.

If using marijuana has become troublesome, you might think about getting professional assistance. Resources like therapists, counselors, and specialty treatment programs can provide your kid with the help they need. These specialists are qualified to deal with underlying problems including stress, peer pressure, or mental health disorders that may be causing drug use. Early intervention can stop the usage from getting worse and support your kid in creating healthy coping mechanisms. Getting a medical expert involved can also offer a methodical way to handle the matter and guarantee that your adolescent gets the treatment they need.

It is critical to be involved and supportive throughout the process. Encourage your kid to participate in activities that support their well-being and offer positive reinforcement for good habits. Stay educated about the services available in your area, and consider joining support groups for parents struggling with similar challenges. You can assist your child in navigating this difficult period and promote a healthy, drug-free future by keeping open communication and obtaining expert support as required.

Bottom Line

Parents need to be vigilant about the signs of marijuana use in their children, given its prevalence among teenagers and its potential impact on their health and development. Early detection, open communication, and seeking professional help if needed are key strategies for addressing marijuana use in adolescents. By providing support, education, and access to resources, parents can help guide their children towards healthier choices and a drug-free future.

HOW TO HAVE “THE TALK” WITH YOUR KIDS, READ ON..

TALKING TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT WEED, AGE APPRORIATE TIPS!

LOS ANGELES, May 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PsychedelicNewsWire (“PNW”), a specialized communications platform for the psychedelics sector and one of the 60+ brands powered by IBN (“InvestorBrandNetwork”), is pleased to announce that it will be the Official Media Sponsor for the 4^th Annual Psychedelic Therapeutics and Drug Development Conference (“the conference”), an industry flagship event dedicated to research and development of psychedelics in the healthcare space hosted by Arrowhead SciTech Conferences & Events (“Arrowhead”). The event will be held at the iconic Revere Hotel Boston Common, 200 Stuart Street, Boston, MA 02116 on 23-24 May 2024

Put some smoke in the air—the unofficial first days of summer arrive with Memorial Day May 30, and America’s 36 weed legalization states stand ready. 

Campouts, road trips, flights, and barbecues all require the right accessories, and that includes the ganja. The midwestern state of Ohio might see its first legal sales in June. New York’s first indoor-grown weed hits dispensaries. And California keeps hitting new heights. Leafly rounded up some staff and freelancer picks with our unmatched data to crush Memorial Day. 

Check back often as we add more picks in the coming days.

California

Memorial Day in California means tasty and potent flowers, pre-rolls, carts, hash, and no shortage of gummies for the wine moms.

Popular strains: Permanent Marker, Lemon Cherry Gelato, Blue Dream

Leafly staff picks:

Over at GOAT Global in South LA: Seven Leaves, or Trilogy 710 Sour Wilson live rosin dabs. 

Oregon

Popular strains: Gary Payton, GMO, Jack Herer,

Leafly staff picks:

Magic Number Magic Drops—Super easy to dose this strawberry lemonade-flavored tincture. Add them to Spindrifts, and LaCroixs, etc.

Mt Hood Magic—Consistently one of the freshest strains out there. Smells amazing. We’ve seen it from Tree House Collective and Archive.

Washington

Popular strains: Permanent Marker, Sour Diesel, Northern Lights,

Leafly Staff picks:

Freddy’s FuegoGary Poppins—Gary Payton and Red Runtz combine in this winner grown by Freddy’s Fuego in Washington. 

Torus brand Gas Face—Bring some stank to the campout with this Face Mints x Biscotti Sherbert strain grown perfectly by Torus. 

Method brand Red Bullz—This hype brand from Curationsco.com keeps cranking out like Gouda Berry, Juicee J, Pink Certz, Roll-Ups, Red Bullz, Jealousy BX1, and Jaffa.

Dabstract Sour Diesel cart—This one-gram Live Resin Cart tastes nice and skunky, like the East Coast Sour D of our youth.

Harmony Extracts XJ-13 “Raw” CO2 cart—Tasty jack terps in a clean, smooth hit for under $40. So you can spend the rest on gas and craft beer.

Wyld Raspberry Sativa Enhanced Gummies—One of America’s go-to edible options. They are tasty, easy to dose, and pack the right amount of punch without totally knocking us out. It’s got 100mg THC per box, or 10 mg per gummy.

Colorado

Popular strains: Gary Payton, Apple Fritter, Runtz

Arizona

Arizona has gorgeous reservoirs, stunning hikes, and sunlight to spare this Memorial Day. Here’s stuff we’re smoking, from our most popular stores:

Popular strains: Apple Fritter, Kush Mints, Permanent Marker,

Leafly staff picks:

Potent Planet brand Tricho Jordan #23

Connected brand Lemonatti, or Gelonade

Legends flower Motor Breath—Affordable Chemdog x SFV OG for a classic smoke.

Gron 3:1 CBG edibles—When you went too hard at the gym, perfect for taming the soreness without getting so high you can’t function. CBG doesn’t get you high. It actually might help tame THC, while also having healing effects.

Timeless vapes Blue Dream—The low-stakes Modelo Especial of vapes goes perfect with cookouts.

See also: Tru | Med Zoap, Sherbanger OG live resin batter, Pure gummies Watermelon sativa, Dutchie 0.5-gram pre-roll 6-pack, Cookies Apples & Bananas preroll

Illinois

Trending strains: Lemon Cherry Gelato, Cereal Milk, Gush Mints

Leafly staff picks:

Florcal Jealousy live rosin badder—The live rosin wave is hitting Illinois and the price is steep. But if you want to dab the best in class Leafly Strain of the Year 2022, pony up.

Royal Tree King Louis OG—This King delivers some price relief among punishing the prices of Illinois 

Florida

Medical marijuana Florida sends an adult-use proposition to voters this Fall. Register to vote!

Popular strains: Biscotti, GG4, Blue Dream

Texas

Prohibition states get high, too. Here’s what’s hot in the Line Star State. Just mind your Ps and Qs.

Popular strains: GG4, Runtz, Blue Dream

New York

Popular strains: LCG, GG4, ICC

New Jersey

Popular strains: Gumbo, Biscotti, Gary Payton

Product picks:

Prolific Grow House brand P-Funk—New Jersey flower so fine you’ll learn to roll joints, instead of hit prerolls all the time. A new era of craft cannabis is dawning on the East Coast. 

Cookies brand Mexican Flan

Binske Tangerine Twist

Rythm Xeno flower

Massachusetts

Trending strains: Apple Fritter, Durban Poison, Super Boof,

Freshly Baked Northern Lights cart—This cart helps with sleep. For a weekend daytime‚ buzz all-in-one Acapulco Gold, Pineapple Express, or Blue Dream.

Middlesex Integrative Medicine—Frozen Lemons diamonds extract

Maine

Popular strains: Super Boof, Sour Diesel, Ice Cream Cake

Nevada

Popular strains: Wedding Cake, Permanent Marker, Biscotti,

Product picks:

Dogwalkers 5-pack—In Las Vegas, these Dogwalkers are great for a short session, just like when you’re walking your pup. Smoking them supports animal resuces, and the swag is cool.

Maryland

Trending strains: Lemon Cherry Gelato, Wedding Cake, Hash Burger,

Product picks:

Garcia Hand Picked Highland OG—Keeps it classic.

Fade Co Mule Fuel—For that more savory kick.

Curie Wellness LA Kush Cake pre-roll—Works surprising well on date night.

Curio Chews “Oh” Bedroom Berry—Backup for the LA Kush Cake.

Strane live resin Juicee J cart—For that zaza on the go.

SunMed Pineapple x Geasae Monkey live resin batter

And that’s a good place to start shopping for an epic Memorial Day stash.

Rest in peace to all of America’s fallen warriors, and may their relatives know peace.