MarijuanaRecent decriminalization and discussions of legalization of marijuana in Vermont have caused a great deal of confusion for both parents and teens. If you are reading this page, chances are you are looking for facts, ways to support your teen, or maybe you're concerned about a teen in your life who may be considering using or who you suspect is currently using.
According to the most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey 20% of CVU students rode with a driver who had been smoking marijuana during the past 30 day, and that 27% of 11th graders and 33% of 12th graders have used marijuana in the last 30 days. Research is clear, heavy marijuana use by teens is linked to: lower grades and exam scores, students who are less likely to enroll in college, are less likely to graduate from HS or college, have lower satisfaction with life, are more likely to earn a lower income, and are more likely to be unemployed. You have an opportunity to have a real conversation with your teen about an important health topic. You want your child to share what they know, what their thoughts and opinions are, and what their friends are doing. Please listen and then express your opinions, knowledge and concerns for their safety. The ultimate goal is to keep our kids safe, and teach them how to have fun and relax without turning to a substance that may have a real impact on their health and learning. Learn About the Effects of Marijuana on Growing Children![]() Frequent marijuana use can affect the ways developing brains grow. And brains don’t finish developing until a person’s mid-twenties! For young people, marijuana is NOT harmless. As a parent, it’s important to let your child know the risks that come with using marijuana.
Using marijuana can be harmful to your child’s development. One of the best ways to prevent your child from using is by simply talking to them. Parents are the number one influence on their children’s behavior. There’s never going to be a perfect time to talk to your child about marijuana, but it’s an important conversation to have. It’s up to you to start that dialogue. Having conversations with supportive adults makes young people much, much less likely to start using marijuana or other substances. These tricky conversations build trust, give you insight into what’s going on in your child’s life, and improve outcomes for your child. Legalization means it’s more important now than ever to talk to your children. Find out what you should know here Talk to Your Child About Marijuana Download this free kit What you need to know to talk with your teen about marijuana Learn more about how to protect your child and take action from ParentUp at parentupvt.org
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