How will legalized pot affect teens today?

 

A few thoughts and questions come to mind right from the start when considering the legal use of marijuana (‘pot’) in Colorado and other places and the effect it will have on teens.

·         There may be an assumption made that because pot is now legal, it must be safe and okay for everyone to use.

·         What is the ‘legal’ age limit for using pot? in Colorado and Washington?

·        What do the scientists and medical community say about the addictive qualities of pot and its effects on growing kids?

Well, I was a teenager once upon a time and most people know there is a certain amount of experimentation that goes on in the teen years and sometimes with younger kids where their social environment provides opportunities and pressures to be part of the group. Just as many underage youth try alcohol, cigarettes, and other drugs, pot is no different. So, just because the legal age for smoking recreational pot in Colorado and Washington is 21, it seems that teens are resourceful in finding ways to get what they want for experimentation or ongoing use.

Teens who wish to use pot will justify it one way or the other. Education may or may not affect behavior. Some studies show that brain development can go on into the 20s and of course, drugs of any kind can affect the brain-mind-body in a variety of ways.

It seems that open communication without judgment is important when speaking with anyone about the effects pot may have. I heard a report on 9News which showed that the legalization of pot in Colorado has not increased the number of people using the drug. I’m not sure we can assume the same for teens who are looking to experiment.

A recent article by Suzanne S. Brown in the Denver Post addresses many of these issues. A few highlights follow:

·         "No scientist in the field would have any qualms about (pot) being [called] addictive," says  Dr. Paula Riggs, director of the Division of Substance Dependence at the University of Colorado-Denver's School of Psychiatry. "It has a similar effect on the brain reward system as other drugs of abuse like heroin or cocaine."

·         "The studies are clear that one out of 11 adults who try marijuana will become dependent or addicted, while one out of six adolescents will become daily or near-daily users," Riggs says.

·         Riggs, who has recently begun a program treating students for substance abuse at Adams City High School, says ongoing research shows that pot is neurotoxic, or disruptive to the brain and other parts of the nervous system…. She also states that brain development goes on into the 20s…

·         "I clearly tell teens it's not safe to drive when you are high on marijuana," says Sheryl Ziegler, a counseling psychologist who runs The Child & Family Therapy Center at Lowry. "Concentration is difficult; your coordination is in jeopardy; it's hard to judge distance, speeds or identifying sounds. In combination with alcohol, it's worse." (There are some limits established for drivers similar to DUI standards and will most likely be adjusted as we move along this new road of legalized pot use… Pot also stays in the system for a longer period of time than alcohol so this is new territory for law enforcement.)

·         … Dr. Riggs and others worry about young pregnant women thinking it might help them with morning sickness since medical marijuana is used by some cancer patients as an anti-nausea drug. That's dangerous because research has shown the developing child's brain is affected as well as the mother's, Riggs says, citing a 2008 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

·         Dr. Christian Thurstone agrees that avoiding pot is the best policy. He runs a program at Denver Health for those 12-21 years old, called the Substance Abuse Treatment Education & Prevention Program, or STEP… "[Parents] shouldn't just throw up their hands," Thurstone says. "I encourage pro-social activities that build self-esteem — sports, chess, youth group, debate or other interests. You can also set forth expectations and norms."

Above bullet points from:  “Teens and pot use: Parents, here's what you need to talk about” By Suzanne S. Brown, The Denver Post …posted Jan. 2, 2014
http://www.denverpost.com/marijuana/ci_24825184/teens-and-pot-use-parents-heres-what-you

It seems, according to recent surveys, that about 1/3 or the teenage population in Denver has tried pot or uses it on an ongoing basis. That means that perhaps 2/3 of teens do not use pot. It is always a question as to how honest the survey respondents are when answering.

Most importantly, it seems, is the necessity of developing good self-esteem and decision-making in our kids through positive role models, affirmations, and healthy activities.

And as always, time will tell the trends that will emerge. Programs already in place address the issues of teens and drugs, especially when addictive behaviors are obvious in the way they affect a person’s life.

Providing hope and realistic avenues for success in our society will also give teens both goals and the experience of building self-confidence as they move toward adulthood.

FYI: There are over 13.5 million results for “pot and teens” on Google.

What are your main concerns regarding the topic of teens and pot smoking?

Other related articles:

How does marijuana use affect your brain and body?
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/how-does-marijuana-use-affect-your-brain-body

How Marijuana Works
http://science.howstuffworks.com/marijuana3.htm

Adolescents and Marijuana
http://learnaboutmarijuanawa.org/factsheets/adolescents.htm

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Written and Compiled by John Hutchinson, May 26, 2014
Sundance Center for Conscious Living - www.sunhutch.com
John@sunhutch.com