Marijuana: Teen Myths and Facts

As Marijuana Becomes Legal in More States, Teens’ Assumptions About Marijuana Are Changing and We Have Concerns About the Following:

• Perception of harm has gone down, meaning more kids don’t think marijuana is harmful.
• Teens think marijuana is easy to get. It is.
• The marijuana industry markets directly to youth.
• Marijuana use has increased among “heavy users”. Read More
• Parents are not careful enough about locking up marijuana in the home.

Teens are missing key information:

We worked with the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department and a Camp Mariposa Alumna to develop a list of teen myth’s about marijuana use. Their Pierce County Prevention Collaborative (PC2) works closely with a youth leadership council to develop education and prevention messages that appeal directly to youth. Below we break down some of the myths so that you can communicate the facts:

Know The Facts:

1. Myth: Marijuana is natural, therefore not harmful.

Fact: Many studies show marijuana use can have lasting effects on the developing teen brain especially when used at a young age. Lots of things are natural but they are still poisonous.

Investigate: Marijuana and lung health, High Potency Pot linked to Psychosis

2. Myth: Marijuana is not Addictive

Fact: The active ingredient, THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) stimulates brain cells to release dopamine. Dopamine gives a “pleasure feeling” or “high”. This is one reason teens use over and over which can lead to addiction.

Investigate: Mental Dependency v. Physical dependency

3. Myth: Marijuana use does not impact driving. Some teens report driving better while using.

Fact: Driving under the influence of marijuana is dangerous. The skills needed to drive such as reaction time, motor coordination, concentration, judgement and alertness are all affected by marijuana use. “Marijuana is the illicit drug most frequently found in the blood of drivers who have been involved in vehicle crashes, including fatal ones”

Investigate: How Marijuana affects driving, Misconceptions about driving high, What Marijuana does to the teen brain

4. Myth: Marijuana helps teens relax when stressed or anxious.

Fact: Teen marijuana use has been linked to mental health problems in teens such as depression and increases in suicide ideation. Teens are at a higher risk of experiencing psychosis.

Investigate: Cannabis use linked to Depression, Cannabis and Teen Mental Health

5. Myth: if I get caught with Marijuana I won’t be in any real trouble.

Fact: Juvenile Drug Possession is a serious offense: in some states it is a misdemeanor which can result in jail time as well as significant financial fines. In some states, the amount of cannabis that you are caught with can result in a distribution charge which has penalties up to 5 years in prison. Know the penalties in your state.

Investigate: Possession and Dealing Laws and Penalties Vary by State, Google: “Marijuana Laws in (your state)”

Know the Washington State Laws about Marijuana:

1. The legal age to use marijuana is 21.
2. People under 21 cannot buy or have (possess) marijuana.
3. People under 21 cannot visit a marijuana retail store unless they have a medical card and are 18+ years of age.
4. Teens may face a felony, jail time or fine for selling marijuana
5. It is illegal for anyone to provide marijuana to minors. Parents cannot share marijuana with their kids.

Thank you to Camp Mariposa South Bend Alumna Emily Farmer for participating in the creation of this resource.