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Legal for adults doesn't mean safe for teens.

Human brains continue to develop until about age 25. Because of this, youth, teens, and young adults are at greater risk when using marijuana and other substances.

With marijuana now legal and widely available in highly potent forms, it’s more important than ever to understand its impact on youth. The younger a person is when they start to use high potency cannabis, the higher the risk of dependence and addiction. Recent research* shows that cannabis use disorder can develop in about 20 percent of users.

Using cannabis before the age of 25 can lead to issues such as:

  • Difficulty thinking and problem-solving
  • Problems with memory and learning
  • Decreases in sports performance and athletic ability
  • Poor coordination
  • Difficulty paying attention
  • Increased irritability or aggression
  • Lack of motivation which can lead to poor performance at school or work
It's a fact: 84% of Connecticut teens choose not to use cannabis.

Protecting Your Mental Health

Marijuana use has also been shown to increase the risk of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, and schizophrenia in teens and young adults. This risk is greater among young people who use cannabis more often and who use cannabis with a higher THC content. New research has shown that more potent marijuana and more frequency of use are contributing to higher rates of psychosis in young people.

For more information on how cannabis can impact your health, visit our Health & Safety page.

Health Risks

Because it comes from a plant, some people don’t realize the risks of cannabis use. In reality, cannabis is a psychoactive (mind-altering) substance like many other drugs. Using cannabis can cause physical and mental issues, especially in developing teens. These issues can include:

  • Breathing problems from smoking and vaping (coughing, wheezing, trouble with physical activity, and lung cancer)
  • Lower intelligence
  • Risky behavior
  • Weaker thinking skills
  • Risks to a pregnancy
  • Marijuana Use Disorder (addiction)
  • Mental health difficulties

Read more about cannabis and your health.

For more information or to get treatment, visit our Resources page.

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*Source: https://beintheknowct.org/problem-use/