Parental Tool Kits
Resources
ADC Committees
Marijuana Information
Statistics
- Marijuana can be addictive.
Despite contrary belief repeated marijuana use can lead to addiction. The chances of becoming addicted are different for each person based on factors such as, genetics, other drug use, relationships, age, etc. - It is not safe to drive under the influence of Marijuana.
Many of the skills you need to drive safely, such as alertness, concentration, coordination, and reaction time, are all impaired by marijuana. Being under the influence of marijuana can make it difficult to judge distances or react to signs and obstacles in the road. Marijuana is thought to roughly double a drivers chances of being in a crash. - Marijuana can be laced with substances without your knowledge.
- Marijuana is linked to lower grades, school failure, and poor quality of life.
Marijuana has negative effects on attention, motivation, memory, and learning that can persist after the drug’s immediate effects wear off – especially in people who use it regularly. Research shows that marijuana use can have permanent effects on the developing brain when use begins in adolescence, especially with regular or heavy use (2). - High Doses of Marijuana can cause Psychosis or panic when you’re high.
It can worsen psychotic symptoms in people who already have a severe mental illness, and increases the risk of psychotic disorders among those at higher genetic risk for these disorders.
(2) NIH National institute on drug abuse https://www.drugabuse.gov/ (if needed specifically “marijuana facts for teen’s booklet, Marijuana facts parents need to know booklet, and Drugs: shatter the myths booklet https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/marijuana-facts-parents-need-to-know/letter-to-parents, https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/marijuana-facts-teens/letter-to-teens, https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-shatter-myths) and SAMHSA (Tips for teens marijuana , and https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/factsheets/teens.htm
addicted to marijuana
is smoked regularly as a teen
Local Statistics
In 2018, 5% of Tuscarawas youth had used marijuana at least once in the past 30 days, increasing to 9% of those aged 17 and older.
The following percentage of youth agreed with each statement:
- 51% – “using marijuana leads to using other drugs”
- 51% – “marijuana is addictive.”
- 45% – “medical marijuana should be legalized.”
- 21% – “recreational marijuana should be legalized.”
- 37% of youth perceived smoking marijuana one or twice a week as a great risk
- 85% of youth had a perception of disapproval by parents.
- 56% of youth had a perception of peer disapproval
Tuscarawas County Community Health Status Assessment. Pgs 103-105, 119-121.
Medical Marijuana
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not recognized or approved the marijuana plant as medicine. However, scientific study of the chemicals in marijuana, called cannabinoids, has led to two FDA-approved medications that contain cannabinoid chemicals in pill form. Currently, the two main cannabinoids from the marijuana plant that are of medical interest are THC and CBD.
Many researchers, including those funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), are continuing to explore the possible uses of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids for medical treatment, but more research is needed.
*Please note: CBD + THC products are legal in the state of Ohio only as recommended by a physician and obtained through Ohio dispensaries.* please insert link to medical control program attachment.
Research
Currently there is a lot of controversy in Ohio on the topic of marijuana, but there are many researches being conducted to hopefully gain some clarity on the issue.
Specifically NIDA is conducting research on all of the following topics:
- Patterns and trends in marijuana use and attitudes, particularly among adolescents
- Short and medium-term effects of THC on the brain and behavior; driving under the influence of cannabis; and genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors that mediate marijuana’s effects
- Long-term effects of prenatal and adolescent cannabis exposure on brain development
- Development and impact assessment of prevention programs on marijuana use
- Screening and brief assessment for cannabis use disorder
- Medications, Health, and behavioral treatments for cannabis use disorder
- Function of the brain’s endocannabinoid system, including its role in pain, mental illness, and HIV
- Potential therapeutic uses of THC and other cannabinoids in treatment of pain, HIV, addiction, and other health conditions
- Social, behavioral, and public health and safety impacts of policy changes related to marijuana (i.e., “medical marijuana” and recreational legalization)
Research has discovered the amount of THC in marijuana has been continually increasing over time. First time users are being exposed to exposure to higher THC levels, which increases the chance of harmful reactions. “Higher THC levels may also mean a greater risk for addiction if people are regularly exposing themselves to high doses.”
Tips for Parents
People smoke marijuana for a lot of different reasons, but whatever the reason drug use still has consequences. Help your child understand the dangers of substance use.
- Stay informed, learn, and become more educated about marijuana use
- Be a positive role model with your behavior concerning marijuana use and in general.
- Get to know your child’s or teen’s friends and their parents.
- Monitor your child whereabouts.
- Help your child deal with peer pressure to use.
- Talk openly with your child.
- Don’t lecture them.
- Stay actively engaged in their lives.
- Set clear expectations about marijuana use, including real consequences for not following family rules.
- Keep an open mind.
- Be an active listener.
- Respond to your teens questions about marijuana.
- Encourage your kids to participate in healthy and fun activities.
- Stay calm and relaxed when talking with your teen about marijuana
NIH National institute on drug abuse https://www.drugabuse.gov/ (specifically Marijuana facts parents need to know booklet , https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/marijuana-facts-teens/letter-to-teens, Partnership for drug – free kids Marijuana tool kit, and https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/marijuana-facts-parents-need-to-know/starting-conversation
Warning Signs
Adolescence is a time of change and growth, including behavior changes. These changes usually are a normal part of growing up but sometimes can point to a marijuana problem. Parents and teachers should pay close attention to the following warning signs that may indicate marijuana use:
- Poor physical coordination Declining school work and grades
- Red eyes
- Unusual smell on clothes
- Problems with short-term memory
- Anxiety
- Have drug paraphernalia
- Wear clothing or jewelry or have posters that promote drug use
- Have an unexplained lack of cash
- Abrupt changes in friends
- Abnormal health or sleeping issues
- Deteriorating relationships with family
- Less openness and honesty