According to Stanford Medicine’s REACH Lab, the possible short- and long-term side effects of using cannabis include “altered brain development, anxiety, paranoia, slowed reactions, and poor memory.”
Since the teen brain is actively developing until about age 25, it’s recommended that young people 25 and under avoid or reduce cannabis use to protect their brain health. Using cannabis during the teen years and early 20s can alter brain development and lead to long-term harm.
Understanding the facts helps prevent harm, reduce misinformation and encourage conversations across families and communities. The Speaking of Cannabis campaign aims to support parents, caregivers, mentors and other trusted adults in having conversations with the young people in their lives about the risks of cannabis use.
“When adults truly listen and ask open ended questions, it helps teens feel heard, connected, and more willing to open up,” said Fillmore County Public Health-Health Educator Brenda Pohlman, BS, MPH. “These questions can also be used to start age-appropriate conversations with elementary-age kids. Tell them their brain is growing and that using weed makes it harder for their brain to grow like it should.”
Asking open-ended questions can invite more thoughtful answers and further conversation. They can give teens a sense of control over what they share, which might help them open up.
The campaign recommends using open-ended questions to invite thoughtful dialogue, not “yes” or “no” answers, with examples including:
1. “How do you think using cannabis might affect someone’s ability to reach the goals they’ve set for themselves?”
2. “In what ways do you see social media or movies influencing how people your age view the risks of using cannabis?”
3. “What are some healthy ways you or your friends deal with stress or pressure instead of turning to substances?”
Adults can learn more about how to talk with kids about cannabis by visiting SpeakingofCannabis.org and clicking ‘Resources’ and then choosing ‘Talk to Teens in Your Life’ from the drop-down menu. There, they can find a SAMHSA Talk. They Hear You. brochure with more tips for talking with their child.
This initiative is supported by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health’s Health Improvement Bureau and is featured as part of the Preferred Business sponsored content program. Local residents can find more information by visiting Goodhue County Health and Human Services.
Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona County are partnering to inform adults through the website, speakingofcannabis.org.
This activity is made possible by a grant from the Cannabis and Substance Use Prevention program of the Minnesota Department of Health’s Health Improvement Bureau.
If you would like to connect with our Wabasha County Cannabis and Substance Misuse Prevention Collaborative, please reach out to Tina Moen, Wabasha County Coordinator at tmoen@co.wabasha.mn.us.
