Kids and Marijuana: The Facts

Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug among America's youth. Among kids who use drugs, approximately 60% use marijuana. Between 1991 and 2001, the number of 8th graders who used marijuana doubled from one in 10 to one in 5. New research has provided further proof of the risks associated with youth marijuana use. It's important that parents understand the facts about marijuana - and their important role in keeping their kids drug-free.

Marijuana is addictive:
Today's marijuana is stronger:
Marijuana hurts young bodies and minds
Marijuana affects learning and academic achievement
Marijuana linked to risky behaviors
Marijuana impairs driving
Parents can make a difference

Marijuana is addictive:

• Research has now established that marijuana is addictive. Each year, more kids enter treatment with a primary diagnosis of marijuana dependence than for all other illicit drugs combined.
• Sixty-percent of teens currently in drug treatment have a primary marijuana diagnosis.
• Today's marijuana is more potent and its effects can be more intense.

Today's marijuana is stronger:

• Today's marijuana is much stronger and more addictive than it was 30 years ago. The average level of THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) rose from under 1% in mid-70s to more than 7% in 2002.
• Sinsemilla potency also increased, rising from 6% to more than 14% in 2002. Studies have found THC levels of more than 30% in some grades due to refined cultivation techniques.

Marijuana hurts young bodies and minds:

• Smoking marijuana leads to some changes in the brain, similar to those caused by cocaine, heroin, and alcohol.
• Regular marijuana users often develop breathing problems including chronic coughing and wheezing. Marijuana contains the same cancer-causing chemicals as tobacco. Regardless of THC content, the amount of tar inhaled by marijuana smokers and the level of carbon monoxide absorbed are three to five times greater than among tobacco smokers for similar amounts.
• For young users, marijuana can lead to increased anxiety, panic attacks, depression and other mental health problems. For those already prone to depression or anxiety attacks, marijuana use may accelerate or exacerbate problems. One study found that adolescents associated social withdrawal, anxiety and depression, attention problems and thoughts of suicide with past-year marijuana use.

Marijuana affects learning and academic achievement

• Researchers have found that heavy marijuana use impairs the ability of young people to concentrate and retain information. This may be especially problematic during teen's peak learning years, when their brains are still developing.
• One study found an association between adolescent marijuana use and a decrease in the likelihood of attaining at least a high school education.
• Research found that youths with an average grade of 'D' or bellow were more than 4 times as likely to have used marijuana in the past year as youths who reported an average grade of 'A.'

Marijuana use linked to risky behavior

• Kids who regularly smoke marijuana are more likely to engage in risky behaviors that may put their future in jeopardy, such as more delinquent behavior and aggression, greater rebelliousness, and more associations with delinquent and drug-using friends.
• Another study found young marijuana users in their later teen years were more likely to have an increased risk of delinquency, have multiple sexual partners, perceive drugs as not harmful, have problems with cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana, and have more friends who exhibit deviant behavior.
• According to the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, adolescents age 12 to 17 who use marijuana weekly are nine times more likely than nonusers to experiment with other illegal drugs or alcohol, five times more likely to steal, and nearly four times more likely to engage in violence.

Marijuana impairs driving

• Marijuana affects alertness, concentration, perception, coordination and reaction time - - many of the skills required for safe driving and other tasks. These effects can last several hours after smoking marijuana. Marijuana use can also make it difficult to judge distances and react to signals and sounds on the road.
• Research has provided more evidence of the prevalence of drugged driving and the resulting consequences. A roadside study of reckless drivers who were not impaired by alcohol showed that 45 percent tested positive for marijuana.

Parents can make a difference

• Parents are the most powerful influence on their kids when it comes to drugs. Two-thirds of youth, ages 13-17, say losing their parent's respect is one of the main reasons they don't smoke marijuana or use other drugs.
• In 2000, only 7 percent of youths ages 12-17 who indicated that their "parents would strongly disapprove if they tried marijuana once or twice" had used an illicit drug in the past month. But 31% of youth whose parents did not strongly disapprove reported use of an illicit drug in the past month.

Source: National Youth Anti-drug Media Campaign from the Office of National Drug Control Policy

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