Talking To Your Teen About Cannabis

Talking to your teen about cannabis can help them make good choices. It’s important to start these talks early to keep them healthy and safe.

Why Talk About Cannabis?

Cannabis can affect a teen’s brain. It’s important to talk about it because your teen might:

• Need correct information to make good choices.
• Hear wrong information from friends or the media.
• Think “everyone is using cannabis,” which is not true.
• Worry about a friend using cannabis.
• Already be trying cannabis and need help.
• Have questions but feel too scared to ask.

Why Teens Use Cannabis

• Coping: Some teens use cannabis to deal with stress or pain.
• Social Influence: Teens see adults using cannabis or see it as normal in ads and social media.
• Media Influence: Movies, TV, and music often show cannabis use as cool.
• Peer Pressure: Teens want to fit in with friends who use cannabis.
• Curiosity: Teens are curious and want to try new things.
• Perceived Benefits: Teens might think cannabis will help with focus or looks.
• Seeking Pleasure: Cannabis can make teens feel happy or relaxed.

Tips for Talking About Cannabis

1. Set Goals:
   • Think about what you want to achieve, like starting a conversation or offering support.
2. Choose the Right Time:
   • Find a comfortable place and let your teen choose the time if possible.
   • Don’t rush; continue the talk another day if needed.
3. Keep a Positive Tone:
   • Be relaxed and watch your body language.
   • Listen without interrupting to make sure your teen feels heard.
   • Encourage a two-way conversation.
4. Show Care and Concern:
   • Express your worries and reassure your teen that you care about their well-being.
   • Give information to help them make smart choices without judging them.
   • Stay calm, positive, and open-minded.
   • If your teen has used cannabis, try to understand why without judging.
5. Be Honest and Provide Facts:
   • Answer questions truthfully and give age-appropriate information.
   • Discuss the short- and long-term effects of cannabis on health.
   • Explain the risks of unknown substances in cannabis products.
   • Remind them about the legal aspects of cannabis use in your area.

Key Information for Parents

Cannabis can pose various risks to a teen’s health, such as:

• Impaired Thinking: Cannabis can affect memory, focus, and reaction time.
• Mental Health Issues: While cannabis can make teens feel relaxed, it can also cause anxiety and mood swings.
• Lung Problems: Smoking cannabis can harm the lungs.
• Brain Development: Regular use can harm brain growth.
• Dependence: Frequent use can lead to addiction and worsen mental health issues.
• Psychosis and Schizophrenia: Cannabis use, especially during adolescence, can increase the risk of developing mental health problems like psychosis and schizophrenia. This risk is higher if there is a family history of these conditions. THC, the active part in cannabis, can cause symptoms like hallucinations and paranoia, which can lead to long-term mental health issues.
• Long-Term Problems: Early and regular use of cannabis can lead to serious issues later in life.

For

Services related to this information:

• Doorways: rapid ‘one session at a time’ counselling services.
  • Eastern Urban/Rural
  • Western
  • Central
  • Labrador-Grenfell
• Bridge the gapp
  Newfoundland and Labrador’s ‘go-to’ website for mental health information. Bridge the gapp offers self-help resources, links to local services, and invites people to share their personal stories. Bridge the gapp is free of cost and available to every resident in the province. The site is divided into adult and youth sections, however many services are appropriate for both.
• Strongest Families Children and Youth Programs
  Free skill-based educational programs for children, youth, adults, and families seeking help to improve mental health and well-being.
• Mental health and addictions services
  • Eastern Urban/Rural
  • Western
  • Central
  • Labrador-Grenfell
• Contact your Public Health Nurse
  • Eastern Urban/Rural Zones
  • Central Zone
  • Western Zone
  • Labrador-Grenfell Zone
• Contact your physician/nurse practitioner
• 811 HealthLine (Newfoundland & Labrador) – Call 811 or 1-888-709-2929 / TTY 1-888-709-3555
  • 811 is free and confidential. 811 is available 24/7 and can provide support with mental health and addictions issues and more.
  • Services formerly offered by the Provincial Mental Health Crisis Line are now offered by 811. Call 811 to speak with a registered nurse who is also a trained crisis intervener.