Now that retail marijuana use is legal in Colorado, it’s important for parents to learn how to prevent youth use. As a mom of a teenager, this topic is especially important to me. I want my son to know that it is not only illegal for him to use retail marijuana, it is also detrimental to his health. We’ve had some great conversations about it and I feel much better knowing that he is educated about the health and legal effects, and will hopefully choose not to use it at his age. With the holidays right around the corner, I plan on revisiting the subject with him and would encourage you to do the same with your kids.
This holiday season there’s a possibility that you or your kids might host or attend a party with family and friends who may use marijuana. Holiday parties often involve alcohol and that doesn’t mix with marijuana usage. Whether you chose to use or not, it’s important to proactively teach your kids that retail marijuana use is just not okay at their age. In addition to the impact on their brain development and the impact on their health, there are legal consequences to consider as well.
Did You Know?
- Brain development is not complete until age 25. For the best chance to reach their full potential, young people should not use marijuana.
- Mixing alcohol and marijuana at holiday parties can result in greater impairment than if either is consumed separately. More importantly, there are legal and health consequences for youth using either substance underage.
- Getting caught with marijuana means getting charged with an MIP (minor in possession).
- Driving under the influence can lead to a DUID.
- Breaking school policies that ban marijuana use and possession on school property can result in removal from sports teams and extracurricular activities, school suspensions, expulsions and drug counseling.
When it comes down to it, knowledge is power and our kids need to be taught that retail marijuana usage at a young age is not healthy. To help make talking to your kids easier, the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment has launched a new resource portal on Good to Know Colorado. This is a place where you will find everything you need to know about the health effects, academic consequences and legalities of underage retail marijuana use so that you can confidently talk to your kids about it. You’ll also find resources and tools that rely on facts rather than fear tactics, and tips on how to be approachable and easy to talk to.
Tips to Prevent Underage Marijuana Use
- The most important thing you can do is talk to your kids. Keep the conversation open so they can come to you with questions or concerns. Make sure they are aware of the laws and health effects regarding underage marijuana usage.
- If you use marijuana, make sure you keep it out of reach of children. Store all marijuana products in a locked area out of reach and out of sight. Also, keep marijuana products in the same child resistant packaging they came in from the store.
- Talk to adult family and friends who may be visiting about your home’s rules and expectations regarding marijuana and safe storage.
The holidays will be here before we know it! Be proactive about talking to your kids about the health and legal effects of marijuana before they are potentially exposed to it at a holiday party. Get the facts, know the laws and access the resources at GoodToKnowColorado.com. This is a great resource for all parents, whether you live in Colorado or not!
Have you talked to your kids about underage marijuana use? What tips do you have to make the conversation easier?
This post is sponsored by Single Edition Media on behalf of the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. All opinions are my own.
