Talk Cannabis
The Law
The Trends
The Adolescent Brain
StartTheTalk.Org
As of July 1, 2020, possession of small amounts of cannabis is decriminalized in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
BUT NOT FOR TEENS!
Start the talk now with your teens. Make sure they know that cannabis has NOT BEEN LEGALIZED and DECRIMINALIZATION DOES NOT APPLY TO TEENS!
How much do you know about cannabis?
Take this Quiz with your teen: https://www.samhsa.gov/marijuana-quiz
So Start Talking
Teens in Roanoke City are like any other teens. Peer pressure and social media can have a lot of influence on teens, but parents can have even more. According to research, kids are less likely to use cannabis if they know their parents disapprove.
Download PDF Version
Download PDF Version
Know the Consequences of Teen Cannabis Use
- Cannabis can be addictive.
- Cannabis is unsafe if you are behind the wheel.
- Cannabis is linked to school failure, lower-income, and poor quality of life.
- Short-term effects (while using or right after using): include learning, attention, and memory problems; distorted perception (sights, sounds, time, touch); poor coordination and motor skills; increased heart rate; and anxiety.
- Long-term effects (effects of repeated use) include long-term learning and memory problems if heavy use begins during youth; risk for chronic cough, bronchitis; sleep problems, risk of schizophrenia in some people with higher genetic risk.
Tips for Parents
- Be a good listener.
- Set clear expectations about drug and alcohol use, including real consequences for not following family rules.
- Help your child deal with peer pressure to use drugs.
- Get to know your child’s friends and their parents.
- Monitor your child’s whereabouts.
- Supervise teen activities.
- Talk to your child often.
Know the Consequences and Tips for Parents provided by https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/health-effects/teens.htmlhttps://drugpubs.drugabuse.gov/publications/marijuana-facts-parents-need-know
Helpful Links & Resources
The following links may help you navigate this process and remember parental involvement is key to reducing marijuana use