Statistics on Marijuana Use by Teens

Statistics on Marijuana Use by Teens Addiction Drug Use Marijuana Print Statistics on Teenage Marijuana Use By Amy Morin, LCSW facebook twitter instagram Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, author of the bestselling book 13 Things Mentally Strong People Dont Do, and a highly sought-after speaker. Learn about our editorial policy Amy Morin, LCSW Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on November 09, 2019 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD on November 09, 2019 Doug Menuez / Photodisc / Getty Images More in Addiction Drug Use Marijuana Cocaine Heroin Meth Ecstasy/MDMA Hallucinogens Opioids Prescription Medications Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery Marijuana use is common among teens, yet, many parents still dont believe their teen would ever smoke pot. There are also many misconceptions about marijuanaâ€"especially now that medical marijuana is being used by many people with health conditions and several states are legalizing recreational pot use. Many parents also think pot must be harmless because they believe its a natural herb. But a review published in 2014 suggests marijuana can have harmful effects on a teens developing brain.?? Its important to understand how common marijuana use is among todays teens. Understanding the risks, dangers, facts, and statistics can help you address the issue with your teen. Statistics While a lengthy lecture isnt likely to be helpful, sharing a few statistics about marijuana could educate your teen about the risks and dangers. Here are a few statistics that might make your teen think twice about smoking pot: People who use marijuana prior to the age of 12 are twice as likely to experience a serious mental illness compared to those who first use marijuana at age 18 or older.Among persons aged 18 or older who reported lifetime marijuana use, almost 53 percent  report first using marijuana between ages 12 and 17. About 2 percent report that they first used marijuana before age 12.In 2010, 21 percent  of high school seniors used marijuana in the past 30 days, while 19 percent smoked cigarettes.Nineteen percent of  teen drivers  reports they have driven under the influence of marijuana.Marijuana accounts for 17 percent  of admissions to treatment facilities in the United States, second only to opiates among illicit substances. Facts Marijuana is addictive. About 1 in 6 people who start using as a teen, and 25-50 percent of those who use it every day, become addicted to marijuana.??Marijuana and teen driving do not mix. It is the most common illegal drug found in drivers who die in accidents (around 14 percent  of drivers), sometimes in combination with alcohol or other drugs.??Marijuana is most common drug among teens. More teenage girls use marijuana than cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, and all other illicit drugs combined.Marijuana use may precede depression. Research from 2006 shows girls (ages 14-15) who used marijuana daily were 5 times more likely to face depression at age 21.?? Daily use in young women was associated with an over five-fold increase in the odds of reporting a state of depression and anxiety.Marijuana offenses carry serious legal consequences. Although the laws vary greatly by state and country, some regions impose very strict consequences for teenage offenders. Talk to Your Teen Dont wait for your teen to bring up the subject of marijuana. Start a conversation today. Find out what your teen knows already and be prepared to share the facts. Take steps to build credibility so your teen will value what you have to say. Discuss the dangers of using marijuana and make sure your teen fully understands the risks. Hold  ongoing conversations about the dangers of marijuana use. Discuss changes in the law or bring up the subject when there are stories about marijuana in the news. Find out what your teen is hearing from other sources too. Friends, social media, and other websites often promote marijuana and they may give your teen false information about drugs. Its important for you to be able to provide factual information.