Marijuana: Facts Teens and Parents Need to Know

Marijuana is the most commonly used “illicit drug” among both teens and adults in the United States. Legalization, easy availability and vaping all are contributors to the “allure” of marijuana, particularly among teens. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports adolescent marijuana use for 2016 was:

• five percent of students in 8th grade,
• fourteen percent of students in 10th grade,
• twenty-three percent of students in 12th grade, and
• twenty-two percent of college students and young adults.

Many adolescents assume that marijuana is “natural,” therefore it’s not really harmful. Nothing could be further from the truth. According to the NIDA (National Institute of Drug Abuse), “There is growing scientific evidence that marijuana use during the teen years can permanently lower a person’s IQ and interfere with other aspects of functioning and well-being.” Potency and additive products are both unknowns with marijuana use and can lead to psychosis, addiction, and a rapid downward spiral in both cognitive and social functioning. It’s important for both teens and adults to get the facts regarding the deeply concerning and changing landscape of marijuana.

Please join the SJN Recovery and Addiction Ministry for an important presentation and dinner Sunday evening November 3 at 6:30pm in the Auditorium: “Marijuana: Are We Losing Our Minds?” Presenter Tom Walker has over 20 years of experience working in the field of addiction and is presently Partner and CEO of Encore Recovery Solutions. This program is appropriate for 8th grade to adult. Please RSVP to the Parish Nurse at sjnrecovery@saintjn.org.