DO YOU SUSPECT THAT YOUR CHILD

IS USING MARIJUANA?

TRUE FALSEOR

Marijuana today is over 10x more potent than the

marijuana of the past.

Marijuana today is engineered in labs with

THC concentrations of 25–30% for traditional

marijuana and upwards of 95% concentration in

wax form, which is consumed through “dabbing”

or using vape devices. In comparison, the

marijuana 20 years ago had a mere 2-3% THC

concentration. 1 joint today is the equivalent

to 10+ joints in prior years.

TRUE

TRUE FALSEOR

Marijuana use may cause depression.

TRUE

The Rhode Island state government reports

that frequent marijuana use doubles the risk

of depression and anxiety in children, which

contributes to self-loathing and lack

of motivation. Also, kids who smoke marijuana

are three times more likely to have suicidal

thoughts than peers who do not smoke.

TRUE FALSEOR

Marijuana affects my child differently than it

affects me.

TRUE

Unlike adults, the teen brain is actively developing

until the age of 25. Using marijuana or drinking

alcohol during this time can have a detrimental

and permanent impact on your child’s ability to

perform cognitive functions. They may experience

memory loss, a 5–10% reduction in IQ often leading

to a drop in a grades, decline in overall academic

performance, and struggles to get accepted

into college.

TRUE FALSEOR

Marijuana is addictive.

TRUEWhile this is a highly debated issue, the fact remains

that hundreds of thousands of people enter treatment

every year because they need professional help to

stop using marijuana. Common symptoms of marijuana

withdrawal include nervousness, restlessness,

insomnia, changes in appetite, anxiety and a craving

for the drug. THC is the active chemical in marijuana

which leads to addictive behavior including increased

tolerance with ongoing use and significant withdrawal

symptoms after chronic use.

TRUE FALSEOR

My teen is breaking the law.

TRUE

In Colorado, marijuana is still illegal for teens

and adults under the age of 21. If your child is

caught trying to buy, carry, sell or use marijuana

they can face a minor in-possession charge.

This can mean fines, public service, education

and intervention, loss of a driver’s license and

misdemeanor or felony charges.

TRUE FALSEOR

Marijuana is a “gateway” drug.

TRUEMost heroin users initiated their drug use early in their

teens, usually beginning with alcohol and marijuana.

There is ample evidence that early initiation of drug use

primes the brain for enhanced later responses to other

drugs. This does not mean that everyone who uses

marijuana will transition to using heroin or other drugs,

but it does mean that people who use marijuana also

consume more, not less, legal and illegal drugs than

do people who do not use marijuana.

TRUE FALSEOR

It’s possible to overdose on marijuana.

TRUEIn 2013, over 200 people were seen in hospitals located

around Denver and Colorado Springs with symptoms

of overdose due to synthetic marijuana during a one-

month period and the number of people hospitalized

has continued to increase significantly. Signs of an

overdose may include violent behavior, seizures, coma,

chest pain, repetitive hallucinations and a sense that

one might be dying. In certain instances, marijuana

use, especially through use of dabbing or vape devices,

has led to marijuana-induced psychosis amongst teens.

TRUE FALSEOR

My child might need professional help.

TRUE

There are several things you can look for to

make this decision. Has your child lost interest

in hobbies and activities? Is his school

performance or attendance suffering? Does

he seem depressed? Is he lying, cheating or

stealing? Does he have a new set of friends

who you suspect also use drugs? These are

all signs that your child needs help!

Call our confidential line and learn how to help your child

change their future:

(303) 552-9686

SOURCESwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2827693/

www.colorado.gov/pacific/marijuana/laws-and-youth

www.time.com/89835/synthetic-marijuana-overdoses-k2/

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1360-0443.1996.911014696.x/abstract

www.barrington.ri.gov/documents/BAYTeam/MarijuanaTeenUse.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6249a7.htm

www.denverpost.com/2015/12/17/fed-study-says-pot-use-by-youth-on-rise-in-colorado-leads-nation/

www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/01/14/dangers-that-young-people-face-a-look-at-the-data/