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Marijuana & Health
- Background
- Legalization
- Youth & Marijuana
- Parent Information
- Safe & Responsible Adult Use
- How to Get Help
- More Resources
DEfinition
Marijuana - also known as pot, weed, bud, grass, reefer, herb, or Mary Jane - is mixture of dried leaves, stems, and flowers of the cannabis plant. The active component in cannabis is called THC; this is what produces the “high” feeling associated with using marijuana. The chemical content and THC potency vary based on the type of marijuana product and how it is used.
Consumption
People use marijuana in a number of ways. It can be smoked in hand-rolled cigarettes (joints), pipes, water pipes (bongs), or cigars (blunts). It can be consumed in food, such as in brownies or cookies, commonly called “edibles.” A newer method of using marijuana is vaping, which often involves the use of devices like e-cigarettes.
Dabs
Another method growing in popularity is “dabbing.” When users “dab,” they inhale cannabis vapor from concentrates, oils or extracts using a “dab rig,” which delivers a very strong dose of THC in a very short period of time.
In November of 2012, Washington State voters approved the legalization of recreational marijuana for adults over age 21. The first recreational marijuana stores opened July 8, 2014. Adults are now legally allowed to purchase and possess limited amounts of marijuana for recreational use (see below for specific quantities). Medical marijuana guidelines can be found on the Washington State Department of Health’s website.
Age Restriction
The law only applies to adults age 21 or older—it is still illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to possess any amount of recreational marijuana. Youth can face legal consequences if they are caught with marijuana.
Brains are continuing to develop until age 25, so marijuana can affect youth very differently than adults.
Youth who use marijuana may be more likely to experience:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Distorted thinking and perception (exaggerated or irrational thoughts)
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Problems with learning, memory and concentration
Marijuana and Teens
Addiction
Youth who use marijuana frequently, start using at a younger age, and use for longer periods of time are more likely to develop dependence.
Marijuana use can negatively impact school performance. Youth who use marijuana are more likely to have lower grades and problems in school.
Data
Most youth in Snohomish County don’t use marijuana! 73% of Snohomish County 10th graders - that's about 3 out of 4 - have never tried marijuana!
More Information
You can find more information about teens and marijuana use at the You Can Washington website.
Parents have an incredibly important role to play in helping their kids say “no” to marijuana. One of the main reasons teens choose not to use drugs is because they know their parents don’t approve!
In 2016, 25% of Snohomish County 10th graders said they had ever tried marijuana, while only 16% said they had used it in the past month. However, nearly half (48%) of Snohomish County 10th graders said they perceived marijuana as easy to get, and almost 1 in 3 (30%) do not think regular marijuana use is harmful.
Actions Parents can Take
- Be open and honest about the risks of marijuana, and why you want to help them stay healthy.
- Check out these helpful resources for more information!
- Role play with your child to help them practice saying “no” to drugs.
- Set clear, specific family rules around marijuana. Discuss these expectations often!
- Start talking early! Teens who use marijuana often start by age 14.
Resources For Parents
- Partnership for Drug-Free Kids’ Marijuana Talk Kit
- Seattle Children’s & The Social Development Research Group: A Parent’s Guide to Preventing Marijuana Use (PDF)
- Washington Healthy Youth Coalition's Start Talking Now page
Legal Amounts of Possession
Adults age 21+ can legally purchase & possess:
- 1 ounce of usable marijuana
- 16 ounces of marijuana-infused edibles
- 7 grams of marijuana concentrates
- 72 ounces of marijuana in liquid form
Laws to Consider
While marijuana use is legal for adults age 21 or older, there are still stipulations to be aware of.
- It is illegal to consume marijuana in any form in public.
- It is illegal to drive under the influence of marijuana.
- It is illegal to take marijuana outside of Washington State.
- Open container laws apply to marijuana too! While driving, marijuana products must be kept out of reach, must be un-opened and in their original packaging.
- Providing marijuana to anyone under 21 - even your own children, in your own home - is a felony.
Getting Help
View resources on how to deal with marijuana usage.
- Snohomish County Website
- Teen Link (1-866-833-6546) - Teens can get help for themselves, or learn how to help a friend
- University of Washington's Learn About Marijuana Page.
- Washington Help Line (1-866-789-1511)
Additional Resources
For more Washington State information about a wide range of marijuana-related topics, including factsheets for parents and teens, visit https://www.learnaboutcannabiswa.org/. You can also view these resources:
- 2016 Snohomish County Healthy Youth Survey Marijuana Factsheet (PDF)
- National Institute on Drug Abuse - Marijuana Drug Facts
- Preventing Youth Marijuana Use PowerPoint Presentation (PDF)
- Snohomish Health District Report (August 2016) - Marijuana: Use, Trends & Statistics in Snohomish County (PDF)
- Washington State Liquor & Cannabis Board - General Information about Marijuana