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Smoking marijuana, though the fastest and most preferred way of getting high from this herb, isn’t always the easiest way to conceal its use from unsuspecting parents. If the paraphernalia (pipes, rolling papers, joint holders, ‘doob’ tubes) doesn’t give it away, the stench it creates in closed quarters and on their clothing surely will.
The legalization of pot in certain states has also not only made the drug more easily accessible but also opened the gates to an ever-increasing list of cannabis consumption techniques.
Among cannabis consumption, popular forms are cannabis-containing edibles and vapes. From the wide range of cannabis components, Delta 8 is considered one of the commonly found ingredients in hemp-derived products due to its health benefits.
Delta 8 is one of over 100 ingredients in the cannabis plant and one of the main types of THC, which is known to help with medical conditions such as chronic pain, digestive disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, and insomnia. Thanks to these kinds of medical properties, today it is possible to find various verified products online.
Sweet Tooth for Pot
The newest trend in marijuana usage for teens is potlaced beverages. From carbonated beverages to homemade cocktails, there are even cookbooks and Internet sites dedicated to making your own drinks that pay homage to marijuana leaves. While pot alone can be highly toxic to your teen, mixing it with alcohol can be even more volatile.
Sugar may not be your only concern when teens head to the nearest store for a sweet treat. With states such as Colorado and Washington decriminalizing it, weed smoking isn’t the only option out there for individuals seeking a high. While marijuana sweet treats are illegal for those under the age of 21, your teens are still at risk, of course.
Just like alcohol, teens will find a way to indulge in whatever it takes to get high. It doesn’t help that cannabis treats have evolved from yesterday's brownies to everything from gummy worms and chocolate bars to hard candies and chews. And, the edible items are just as dangerous as smoking a joint can be if your teen is high in a risky situation.
Accidental Ingestion
Baked goods laced with marijuana are more popular than ever and potentially dangerous for your teens. If they’re offered items without being aware of the ingredients, it’s not only criminal but potentially lethal, especially if they follow it with driving a car.
In places such as Colorado, hospitals are noticing an increase in unintentional marijuana ingestion. A 21-year-old was recently admitted to the hospital after he accidentally mistook a pot-infused treat for a regular cookie. Not every case is one of mistaken identity, and your teen may be purposely adding marijuana to their next batch of baked goodies.
Behavioral Risks
The potential dangers of pot use aren’t always obvious, especially for teens. In addition to behavioral issues and reduction in cognitive development – not to mention the risk of it leading to other substance abuse and incarceration – using marijuana can be extremely dangerous if your teen chooses to drive. While teens think they may be safe (and legal) because they don’t have a joint in the car, the laced food or beverages could hold the key to their guilt. Their impaired driving could also subject them to blood tests which reveal the THC still in their system for up to 3 months.
According to Steven Gacovino, a prominent New York attorney, not only are vehicle accidents one of the leading causes of death in the United States, but he also has reported that teen vehicle crashes are usually the result of distracted driving or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol use. Also importantly, if found guilty, your teen could suffer severe consequences that could follow them into their future – including fines, jail time, and not being allowed into the college they would like to attend.
Knowing the Signs
These days with drug use more prevalent, and concealment more creative, parents need to take a proactive approach to stem the rising tide. You should also pay attention to the foods that they eat and drink. A seemingly innocent-looking protein bar they bring home may actually be a store-bought marijuana-infused product.
Though marijuana has proven to be of help for specific individuals to treat their illness or disease, individual states need to severely tighten their rules on marijuana-infused food, treats, and beverages. Parents shouldn’t brush off this behavior, especially when the kids tell you, “It’s not a big thing.” Just think, if they cause an accident resulting in death, and THC is in their system, they could go to prison for decades. It’s a big thing.
Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.
Pot is a lot stronger these days, as you point out, because it’s laced with THC and other chemicals. I sort of wonder if the next move after legalizing it will be to regulate it. In Europe, I think Holland in particular, they have cafes where it’s baked into brownies and cookies. Sure hope they spell that out on the menu!
Very interesting about Holland! I sure hope they let people know otherwise people will be walking around high and have no idea why. They may think something major is wrong with them.
Hi Krystle – I don’t know much about pot and am glad I don’t have to deal with that youth issue – there is so much more around it then there used to be. One thing that causes great concern is the fact of pot-laced cookies, then driving. Teenagers have enough to cope with when driving – they truly don’t need any distractions (cell phones, etc) or less than 100% concentration. thanks for sharing another excellent timely post. Lenie
Me, too. They are legalizing it without any real thought about the damage it may cause. Fine for medicinal purposes, but it all sounds like a bizarre experiment gone wrong on the recreational front.
Nice to know about the new danger. If I am coming to visit colorado, I will be careful to check the ingredients on a simple looking cookie. It makes me nervous about eating samples. You never know….
I would tend to think the same restrictions placed on alcohol should be placed on pot. They can both cause car accidents if driving under the influence. The benefits of marijuana however are tangible so it would be unfair to eliminate those people for whom it benefits because teenagers flub the law. Like alcohol, which has no benefits, laws should be in place and enforced.
Yes, Tim more laws definitely need to be in place and strictly enforced. But as teenagers always have and always will they will find a way to do what they want.
Definitely keep it for medicinal purposes. It is just too readily available for states it’s legal in and causing a lot of issues. Thanks for reading, Tim.
I have never been in favor of legalizing pot. We had enough systems in place to accommodate medical and valid uses. Like anything, even this can be abused but to open the flood gates was a mistake, I think. Even Amsterdam is now pulling back on their legalization of pot as they have seen the societal costs. Sad…they even have lollipops that are laced with pot!
Hi Jacquie. I agree with you. They are trying to pressure places in Berlin to legalize it, as well. If it is legalized in every state, the drive to grow it everywhere becomes an issue, too. If you have time, read this. https://www.axs.com/thelatestonaxs
No matter what the substance, peer pressure plays an important role. I grew up in the sixties where smoking pot was cool. But I also knew the downsides of pot. Communication with your children will be the best tools.
I agree Arleen. Communication is key. If we don’t talk to our children about our concerns and the dangers of things they will look up to their “cool” friends.
Hi Arleen, you’re right. I remember peers pressuring me even in sixth grade about trying cigarettes. Now there are public awareness campaigns to make this the first generation that goes smokeless. Somehow this doesn’t fit with the message to legalize marijuana. You eat it, smoke it, etc. The world seems to be changing, too. It’s hard to keep up and communication with your children is the best thing as you said.
Marijuana can be helpful for some , but government must take strict actions on marijuana infused food, beverages etc. Parents must be extra careful in handling their kids and teach them about the stuff that can risk their lives in many ways.
Hi Andleeb, I’m glad you read Just When you Thought it was Safe. So very true that parents should keep open communication and pot infused products away from children. The government needs to be extra careful to regulate it, also.
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Pot is a lot stronger these days, as you point out, because it’s laced with THC and other chemicals. I sort of wonder if the next move after legalizing it will be to regulate it. In Europe, I think Holland in particular, they have cafes where it’s baked into brownies and cookies. Sure hope they spell that out on the menu!
Very interesting about Holland! I sure hope they let people know otherwise people will be walking around high and have no idea why. They may think something major is wrong with them.
Hi Krystle – I don’t know much about pot and am glad I don’t have to deal with that youth issue – there is so much more around it then there used to be. One thing that causes great concern is the fact of pot-laced cookies, then driving. Teenagers have enough to cope with when driving – they truly don’t need any distractions (cell phones, etc) or less than 100% concentration. thanks for sharing another excellent timely post.
Lenie
I agree Lenie! Teens def do not need more distractions on their plate. They are often aloof as is.
Great information here. It will be interesting to see how teenage use of pot changes in states like Colorado and Washington.
I’m curious about that myself Jeri. Only time will tell I suppose.
This is very good information. I too had heard about it on NPR and hope the word spreads quickly. 🙂
Me too Susan! Me to.
Yes, attention really needs to be brought to the front about it. It is especially harmful to youths that may believe they are invincible.
Good article. I heard a discussion about this on NPR just yesterday and I hope the information gets widely spread.
Thanks Beth! I hope the news travels too.
Me, too. They are legalizing it without any real thought about the damage it may cause. Fine for medicinal purposes, but it all sounds like a bizarre experiment gone wrong on the recreational front.
Nice to know about the new danger. If I am coming to visit colorado, I will be careful to check the ingredients on a simple looking cookie. It makes me nervous about eating samples. You never know….
I hear you Bindu. I LOVE getting samples but I may have to think twice now.
I know what precautions are being made to keep them separate? Especially in places they are made. It makes you wonder.
I would tend to think the same restrictions placed on alcohol should be placed on pot. They can both cause car accidents if driving under the influence. The benefits of marijuana however are tangible so it would be unfair to eliminate those people for whom it benefits because teenagers flub the law. Like alcohol, which has no benefits, laws should be in place and enforced.
Yes, Tim more laws definitely need to be in place and strictly enforced. But as teenagers always have and always will they will find a way to do what they want.
Definitely keep it for medicinal purposes. It is just too readily available for states it’s legal in and causing a lot of issues. Thanks for reading, Tim.
I have never been in favor of legalizing pot. We had enough systems in place to accommodate medical and valid uses. Like anything, even this can be abused but to open the flood gates was a mistake, I think. Even Amsterdam is now pulling back on their legalization of pot as they have seen the societal costs. Sad…they even have lollipops that are laced with pot!
Wow. I didn’t know that about Amsterdam pulling back on their legalization of pot. Hopefully that makes law makers think a little more here.
Hi Jacquie. I agree with you. They are trying to pressure places in Berlin to legalize it, as well. If it is legalized in every state, the drive to grow it everywhere becomes an issue, too. If you have time, read this.
https://www.axs.com/thelatestonaxs
No matter what the substance, peer pressure plays an important role. I grew up in the sixties where smoking pot was cool. But I also knew the downsides of pot. Communication with your children will be the best tools.
I agree Arleen. Communication is key. If we don’t talk to our children about our concerns and the dangers of things they will look up to their “cool” friends.
Hi Arleen, you’re right. I remember peers pressuring me even in sixth grade about trying cigarettes. Now there are public awareness campaigns to make this the first generation that goes smokeless. Somehow this doesn’t fit with the message to legalize marijuana. You eat it, smoke it, etc. The world seems to be changing, too. It’s hard to keep up and communication with your children is the best thing as you said.
Marijuana can be helpful for some , but government must take strict actions on marijuana infused food, beverages etc. Parents must be extra careful in handling their kids and teach them about the stuff that can risk their lives in many ways.
I totally agree with you!
Hi Andleeb, I’m glad you read Just When you Thought it was Safe. So very true that parents should keep open communication and pot infused products away from children. The government needs to be extra careful to regulate it, also.
I have never had any type of pot and don’t think I ever will it is just not me.
That’s good. Stay true to yourself 🙂
I think there is a special push to make people, especially teenagers, think it’s really cool and should be mainstream.
Thanks for reading, Jo-Anne. I can’t deny MJ has medicinal use, but glad it isn’t for you.