Parenting and Cannabis

Things to consider in today’s world of easily accessible high potency THC products

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Shelly Warren LICSW

Substance Use Response Coordinator,

Longmeadow Public Schools

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Cannabis Use by Adolescents Impacts:

MOOD: Increased depression, anxiety (downregulation of endocannabinoids)

MEMORY: Decreased ability in attention, problem solving and especially short term memory formation (structurally reduced hippocampus AND amygdala)

Permanent 8 point drop in IQ

MOTIVATION: Impact of marijuana use is significant for what you DO NOT DO

1 in 6 teens who start using marijuana will develop a marijuana use disorder, as compared to 1 in 9 for adults.

Risk of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome

Increased Risk of Psychosis

Link to 10/4/2024 NYT Article

Students who reported use in the past 12 months complain of:

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34%: feeling tired, groggy or unmotivated

18%: coughing or respiratory problems

17%: spending too much money on it

15%: procrastination

11%: problems remembering things

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*2019 LHS School Climate Survey

Research shows...

Sleep:

• Increased NREM sleep
• more frequent awakenings through the night
• Less REM sleep increases risk of obesity, memory problems and mood disorders.

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(Reported in Psychology Today, April 2019, numerous studies from 2014-2018)

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Research shows...

Anxiety:

• May relieve anxiety in the short term
• Regular use causes down-regulation of endocannabinoid system
• Less natural ability to buffer stress/anxiety

(Dr. Sachin Patel, Vanderbilt University 2014)

Research shows...

Mental Health Correlation:

• Regular cannabis use correlates with higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and psychotic disorders (National Institute of Drug Abuse)
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• 4-5x the risk of depression in teen girls using daily

Sources: British Medical Journal, November 2002 and American Journal of Psychiatry December 2001

• Doubles the risk of developing a psychotic disorder

(2011 Kupper et. al. British Medical Journal)

(2011 Large et. al. Archives of General Psychiatry)

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Cannabis and Psychosis

Higher potency has resulted in

higher incidences of psychotic episodes.

Side note: There are also risks from

synthetics marketed falsely as

THC cartridges for dab pens.

Reports of seizures and psychotic breaks.

(Image Above: Source: Cannabis and schizophrenia. A longitudinal study of Swedish conscripts, Lancet, 1987)

DOUBLE RISK

Of FATAL CRASH

British Medical Journal, 2012

What’s new?

Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse

Source:

Bloom Brands

Cannabis Trends

Form of Use Reported by LHS Students in 2024:

1. Dab Pen/Carts
2. Edibles
3. Smoking

( close to a three way tie)

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Increased use of high potency products places students at greater risk for adverse effects.

Portrayed as a Positive Good:

Source: 2019 LHS

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2024 LHS Students Who Vape Regularly

vs Those Who Don’t

Suicidality

Challenging Situations:

• You find a dab pen in your teen’s backpack
• You learn that the parents of one of your teen’s friends like to smoke a bowl after dinner on the weekends (your teen spends time there)
• Your teen is sleeping more than usual after school, grades are dropping, and her bank account has been draining
• You notice your teen’s eyes are bloodshot and dilated
• Your child’s research project is on marijuana cultivation
• What advice would you give your teen about being the designated driver?
• You are at a public event with your kids and people around you start lighting up

Parenting Strategies:��From the Partnership for Drug Free Kids’ “Marijuana Talk Kit”�More info at: �https://closecommunity.org/marijuana-talk-kit-for-parents-of-teens/marijuana_talk_kit/

Parenting Strategies:��From the Partnership for Drug Free Kids’ “Marijuana Talk Kit”�More info at: �https://closecommunity.org/marijuana-talk-kit-for-parents-of-teens/marijuana_talk_kit/