MARIJUANA TALK KIT What you need to know to talk with your teen - PDF document

MARIJUANA TALK KIT What you need to know to talk with your teen about marijuana #MJTalkKit

INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION “ When I was a kid… ” doesn’t really work when talking with your kids about marijuana today. It’s a whole new ballgame. Marijuana — legal or otherwise — is a hot topic. It’s more important than ever for parents to protect their kids’ health and development by addressing this issue early and often. That’s why we created this talk kit. We want to help families navigate through a changing marijuana difgerent reasons, which landscape; one that includes new policies like legalization, as well as new products, like “edible” candies and cookies. found in the cannabis plant, THC afgects the brain the most. It is a • Here, you’ll learn how to set the stage to have an open dialogue with your teen — about any issue, • but marijuana in particular. Your teens are likely asking you some tough questions and challenging • you on the topic of marijuana. We’ve worked with top experts in health and parenting to help you talk with your teen. • to fjt in Believe it or not, you are the most powerful infmuence in your child’s life. More than friends. More than fmowers and leaves of the hemp plant. • TV. More than celebrities. We know you have questions, and we’re here to help. • WHAT’S INSIDE THE FACTS: What do I need to know now about marijuana? ...............................................................................3 THE RISKS: Why is marijuana risky for teens? .......................................................................................................6 • The new marijuana landscape • Marijuana and the teen brain • Marijuana and alcohol START HERE: How do I talk to my teen about marijuana? ....................................................................................8 • Get in the right frame of mind • Try active listening • Words to avoid when talking about marijuana (or any issue with your teen) WHAT TO SAY: Ok, now just tell me what to say. .................................................................................................12 • Responding to your teen’s questions and arguments [a chart] • A note to parents if you smoke or drink RESOURCES: Help from the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids .............................................................................20 Parents Toll-Free Helpline 1-855-DRUGFREE 2 drugfree.org #MJTalkKit

THE FACTS / What do I need to know now about marijuana? What is marijuana? Why some teens use Marijuana, one of the most often-used drugs in the U.S., is a product of the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. The main active Teens use marijuana for chemical in marijuana, also present in other forms of cannabis, is difgerent reasons, which may include: THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). Of the roughly 400 chemicals found in the cannabis plant, THC afgects the brain the most. It is a • to relax mind-altering chemical that gives marijuana users a high. • to have fun • to alter their What does it look like? perspective • to fjt in Marijuana itself is a green or gray mixture of dried, shredded Believe it or not, you are the most powerful infmuence in your child’s life. More than friends. More than fmowers and leaves of the hemp plant. • to experiment • to try something new What are some terms for marijuana? Some teens see it as not dangerous and easy Bud, blunt, chronic, dab, dope, ganja, grass, green, hash, herb, to get — maybe even joint, loud, mary jane, mj, pot, reefer, sinsemilla, skunk, smoke, easier than alcohol. trees, wax, weed. How is it used? Many users roll loose marijuana into a cigarette (called a “joint”) • or smoke it in a pipe or water pipe (called a “bong”) or in a cigar • (called a “blunt”). A single intake of smoke is called a “hit.” • Marijuana can also be mixed into food or brewed as tea and ingested. In states where marijuana has become legalized, more and • more marijuana “edibles” are seen in retail establishments where • marijuana is sold, including baked goods and candy that closely • or even exactly resemble well-known foods (example: brownies, chocolate, cookies, pizza or gummy bears). Marijuana can also be vaporized. In addition, there are marijuana • concentrates such as hash, wax, tinctures and oil. • Learn more about how marijuana is used at drugfree.org/drug-guide/marijuana . Parents Toll-Free Helpline 1-855-DRUGFREE 3 drugfree.org #MJTalkKit

THE FACTS / What do I need to know now about marijuana? (continued) What are the short-term efgects of marijuana use? What should I look Short-term efgects of marijuana include problems with memory for in my home? and learning, distorted perception (sights, sounds, time, touch), trouble with thinking and problem solving, loss of motor In addition to drugs other drug, can lead to addiction. It afgects the brain’s reward coordination, increased heart rate and anxiety. These efgects themselves, keep are even greater when other drugs are taken mixed with weed. your eye out for rolling papers, cigars and pipes of any kind, What are the potential long-term efgects of as well as small plastic marijuana use? bags, containers and lighters. Teenagers experience intense feelings due to hormone changes, which is a normal part of development. While most adults have a If you fjnd something variety of healthy activities and behaviors that they turn to in order strange and have ofg-again trouble in school. So how do you know when your to relieve stress, it’s difgerent for teens. questions, you can call the Partnership’s If a teen is using pot as a coping method for anxiety, depression Parents Toll-Free Help- or stress, he is more likely to continue this behavior, because • line, 1-855-DRUGFREE , it works (and it works immediately). He gains instant relief and for support and more • gratifjcation. He may think, “When I feel stressed out, I smoke information. • pot and it relaxes me.” Instead of taking time to process and deal with the feeling, he alters it by getting high, which in turn • stunts the emotional coping process. The teen’s stress tolerance • is lowered, because he has not experienced the natural passing of the feeling, and he hasn’t found and used a healthy behavior — like sports, hanging out with a friend, playing music, talking to someone about how he feels or reading a book — to aid in coping with the pressure and stress he feels. This is why regular pot users who start as teens and stop when they are adults may have a diffjcult time working through emotions. They are essentially learning healthy behaviors and coping skills that they should have acquired years ago. Marijuana is unlikely to result in permanent disability or death, but too much of the drug in a person’s system can have harmful efgects, and isn’t as benign as some teens want you to believe. Marijuana can increase risk of chronic cough, bronchitis and (continued on page 5) Parents Toll-Free Helpline 1-855-DRUGFREE 4 drugfree.org #MJTalkKit

THE FACTS / What do I need to know now about marijuana? (continued) What are the short-term efgects of marijuana use? schizophrenia in vulnerable individuals. It also may increase Signs to watch for risk of anxiety, depression and a series of attitude and personality Short-term efgects of marijuana include problems with memory changes. These changes can also include poor performance in Declining school work school, eating and sleeping problems. Marijuana, just like any and grades other drug, can lead to addiction. It afgects the brain’s reward coordination, increased heart rate and anxiety. These efgects system in the same way as all other drugs of addiction — and Abrupt changes in the likelihood of addiction increases considerably for those who friends start young. What are the potential long-term efgects of Abnormal health issues How do I know if my teen is using? or sleeping habits Teens will be teens. They sleep late, their groups of friends If you fjnd something change, they can be moody and they may have on-again, Deteriorating ofg-again trouble in school. So how do you know when your relationships with to relieve stress, it’s difgerent for teens. teen is using marijuana or other drugs? Here are some signs family to watch for: • Declining school work and grades Less openness and honesty • Abrupt changes in friends gratifjcation. He may think, “When I feel stressed out, I smoke • Abnormal health issues or sleeping habits • Deteriorating relationships with family • Less openness and honesty What it comes down to is that you know your teen best . If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. when they are adults may have a diffjcult time working through efgects, and isn’t as benign as some teens want you to believe. Parents Toll-Free Helpline 1-855-DRUGFREE 5 drugfree.org #MJTalkKit