Let's #MentionPrevention: Marijuana
Today's marijuana is not safe for teens and young adults. (Not to mention it's illegal under age 21!) The super high THC levels are associated with IQ loss, increased anxiety, psychosis, and emergency room visits. The brain is still developing until age 25, and marijuana can hurt its development.
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Marijuana today has been bred to be much stronger than in the past. Adults who used it when they were in school were using a much less potent drug.
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The amount of THC--the ingredient that gets you high--tripled from the 1970s to the 1990s and tripled again between 1995 (4%) and 2014 (12%). In CT, marijuana plant products will be sold at up to 30% THC.
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Plus, today's marijuana is commonly vaped or used in concentrated form (dabs, wax, shatter), which can have up to 96% THC. THC levels over 10% can produce anxiety, agitation, and even psychosis. It’s not the original plant any more.
Marijuana's Impact on Health
How does marijuana affect your health?
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If you smoke marijuana, it affects your lungs and heart just like tobacco. The secondhand smoke is also dangerous to people around you.
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It is possible to overdose on marijuana. Edibles and concentrates increase the risk.
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Marijuana affects your brain because it contains THC, a psychoactive drug that affects memory, learning, attention, judgment, and emotions. In adults, the effects usually last while they're high, but effects are dangerous for users under age 25, because their brains are still maturing.
Teens and young adults who use marijuana several times a week and/or use it at high strengths (like dabbing) are at risk of: losing 6-8 IQ points permanently; having temporary psychosis; developing schizophrenia; becoming addicted to marijuana or other drugs in the future.
Is marijuana addictive?
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Contrary to popular belief, marijuana is addictive.
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Overall, one in 10 users develops an addiction.
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Among people who begin using before the age of 18, 1 in 6 develops an addiction.
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Heavy users may develop withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping while trying to quit use. Learn more at NIH.
Find out more about marijuana's effect on young bodies and brains at drugfreect.org/marijuana
Find out more about SAMHSA's "Talk. They Hear You." Campaign, empowering parents and caregivers to talk with children early about marijuana and other substance use.
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Marijuana Impaired Driving
According to TPAUD 2021 Student Survey,
14% of 12th graders reported driving after using marijuana.
Marijuana significantly impairs your ability to drive. Multiple studies have found that the risk of being involved in a crash significantly increased after marijuana use. In a few cases, the risk doubled or more than doubled!
Learn how to talk to your kids about the risks of driving under the influence.
In February 2020, MADD commissioned IPSOS, a global leader in market research, to conduct a nationwide survey of adult perceptions and behaviors related to marijuana impaired driving. The survey results were alarming: 1 in 8 adults admitted to driving within two hours of consuming marijuana. Click on the image above to read more from MADD's The Cannabis Report: America's Perception on Consumption & Road Risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is dabbing? wax? shatter?
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These terms refer to using marijuana extracts or oils that are chemically concentrated from the plant. These concentrates are extremely potent, with 70% or more THC content, so they get the user much higher. The side effects are also much stronger than using the dried plant. FYI: CT hospitals are seeing more people come in with marijuana-induced psychosis as a result of these products.
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Dabbing refers to smoking or vaping THC extracts or oils concentrated from the marijuana plant.
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Wax is a THC concentrate that is at least twice as potent as dried marijuana leaf. Because it is so strong, it can cause nearly instant highs, as well as hallucinations, extreme changes in behavior, and even overdoses.
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Shatter is a hard, glass-like, and clear, shatter is a form of concentrated oils from the marijuana plant.
What about medical marijuana?
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The federal government does not allow marijuana for any purposes, due to concerns over safety and inadequate research to support its use for medical purposes. Important: Medical marijuana is only intended to be used by the person who has the certificate. It should not be shared.
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CT is among 38 states (as of 2021) that have legalized "medical marijuana." Visit the state webpage here.
Medical marijuana is only available to CT residents who are certified by a doctor to have certain conditions. (As of 2021, CT has identified 38 qualifying conditions for adults and 10 for children.) -
Medical marijuana consumers get a certificate from the doctor which they take to a medical marijuana dispensary.
The certificate does not specify a method of use, dosage, or frequency of use for different conditions; it just allows the client to select a product.
Does marijuana/CBD help reduce stress?
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Many people report that marijuana helps them relax. Did you know it's the CBD ingredient in the plant that can help with anxiety, while the THC ingredient can actually increase anxiety? So vaping concentrates (which are mostly THC) is likely to make anxiety worse. That explains why some people thinks their stress comes back after using marijuana.
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If you feel like you need marijuana to relax, it may be time to change whatever's stressing you out so much. A support group can help you learn skills to make positive changes in your life. Also consider meditation apps like Calm or Headspace or practicing yoga to manage your stress!
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While marijuana/THC is illegal, CBD is legal because it cannot get you high. CBD is not regulated, so studies have found that some products for sale contain virtually no CBD, while others may contain some THC. Safer products will have a Consumer Lab, NSP or USP logo.
What is Delta-8?
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Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8 THC) is a psychoactive substance found in the Cannabis sativa plant. Although delta-8 is produced naturally by the cannabis plant, it is not found in significant amounts. As a result, concentrated amounts of delta-8 are typically manufactured from hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD).
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Delta-8 THC products have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA for safe use in any context. They may be marketed in ways that put the public health at risk and should be kept out of reach of children and pets.
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Visit the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for additional information from the please visit .