Marijuana is an extremely common drug–second only to alcohol in the united states.
In 2018, more than 11.8 million young adults used marijuana in the past year. (source)
Though it is used so widely among teens and other young people, is it safe? The answer is, unequivocally, no. Marijuana contains the mind-altering THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which can affect the mind in startling ways.
Here are the top 5 dangers of marijuana use in teens:
- Marijuana use in the teen years can negatively impact cognition (thinking)
- Marijuana can negatively affect memory
- Marijuana can impair learning ability
- Longterm marijuana use can lead to hallucinations and paranoia
- Smoking marijuana can irritate and damage the lungs
Though it may be trendy to believe that marijuana has no ill effects, or at least fewer ill effects compared to alcohol and other drugs, marijana is still dangers for young people and should be absolutely avoided. If you are a parent of a teenager, talk to your teen about the dangers of marijuana. Keep communication open and model good, appropriate behavior surrounding drug use.