Marijuana
Marijuana
Marijuana use has increased in teens because the increasing number of states legalizing marijuana use for adults has made using seem less risky. Marijuana is often marketed as “natural” and a “great way to relax.” Teens often don’t see much harm in using.
Some parents don’t see as much harm in using either because they may have used it when they were younger. However, marijuana has changed a lot over the last 20 years. The average THC concentration in marijuana samples from 20 years ago was about 4%. Samples from recent years show average THC concentrations of about 12%. That means that a person who smokes marijuana today is getting three times as much of the psychoactive component compared to a smoker from 20 years ago.
Marijuana also comes in more concentrated forms, which can have THC concentrations from 50% up to 80%.
Here are some indicators of marijuana use:
- Mood swings
- Slowed responses and distorted sensory perceptions
- Dilated pupils and red eyes
- Increased appetite
- Declining academic performance and missing class
- Changes in friends and peer group
- Changes in eating or sleeping habits and being careless with grooming
- Worsening relationships with family and friends
- Loss of interest in favorite activities
- Marijuana paraphernalia including bongs, pipes and bowls