WHAT IS
CANNABIS?
You might know cannabis as “marijuana,” “weed,” or “pot.” The cannabis plant produces a mind-altering chemical called THC (or Tetrahydrocannabinol), which makes you feel “high” or drugged. Cannabis can be smoked, vaped, or eaten in foods or drinks. All retail and medical cannabis products in Colorado are required to be labeled with the red “THC” symbol pictured on this page, so always look for that. A lot of people think that since cannabis is legal, it’s safe for anyone to use. That’s not true, especially for those under the age of 21. Keep reading to learn more about underage cannabis risks, use, and effects.
YOUR HEALTH
IS IN YOUR CONTROL
Your brain is not done developing until the age of 25, which means that using cannabis at a young age could get in the way of reaching your full potential. You’re in charge of building your future, so take responsibility for knowing how cannabis can impact your health.
Keep your brain sharp.
Using weed could affect your brain’s development, which can make it harder for you to go after your goals. The part of the brain that is responsible for making decisions, called the prefrontal cortex, is also affected when under the influence of cannabis. It can be harder for you to think clearly and avoid dangerous situations, like staying out of a car that’s being driven by someone that is high or drunk.
You learn and remember better without cannabis.
Youth who regularly use cannabis are more likely to have difficulty learning, memory issues, and lower math and reading scores. Studies show that these effects can last weeks after using cannabis. You need your brain for everything you do – from school to all of the other activities you enjoy. Do you want to let cannabis affect that?
It can be hard to quit, so why start?
Cannabis can be addictive, and if you start using it at a young age, you’re more likely to be addicted later. By choosing not to use, you won’t need to worry about what cannabis could do to your future. Learn more about the addictive elements of cannabis by reading these public health statements from CDPHE.
Signs of addiction include letting cannabis get in the way of everyday life, like school, sports, or a job; using more or longer than you planned; and repeatedly trying to quit. If you’re worried about a friend or family member, visit coloradocrisisservices.org.
Cannabis can slow you down.
Whether you’re an artist or an athlete, you should know that cannabis can impact how well you do the things you like doing. That’s because cannabis can affect your reaction time and coordination. This is particularly true when it comes to doing everyday things you love, like playing an instrument, skateboarding, and even driving. By not using cannabis, you can focus on the moments that matter most.
Cannabis can mess with your mental health.
Your teen years are a big time for figuring out who you are and how you feel. But using cannabis can make things harder. Research shows that teens and young adults who use cannabis are more likely to struggle with their mental health — including having suicidal thoughts and seeing or hearing things that aren’t real — compared to those who don’t use it. Skipping cannabis gives your mind more space to grow strong, feel balanced, and focus on the things that actually make you feel good.
Breathe easier and cleaner.
Like smoking cigarettes, smoking cannabis and secondhand smoke from cannabis can irritate your lungs and make it harder to breathe. Heavy cannabis smokers can have a cough or wheeze even when they aren’t using cannabis. When you choose not to smoke weed, you can breathe easier knowing your body and future are healthier.
Vape products can contain nicotine, cannabis (THC or CBD), or other substances like flavoring agents or additional chemicals. While vaping products have grown in popularity, we have seen outbreaks of lung illnesses linked to vaping. The long-term health effects of vaping are unknown, and as information on the illness emerges, our best advice is to not vape at all. Visit the Vaping and Lung Illness page on the CDPHE website for Colorado-specific updates on the outbreak.
Bad reactions can happen.
Cannabis can sometimes lead to scary reactions, like feeling paranoid and a faster heart rate than normal. It can even cause you to see or hear things that aren’t there. The best way to avoid reactions like these is not to use marijuana/cannabis in the first place.
If someone you know has a bad reaction, make the responsible decision and stay with them while calling the Poison Control Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. If it seems severe, call 911 immediately. Anyone under 21 who calls for help and stays with the person having the medical issue or bad reaction is protected. The person who had the bad reaction could face legal consequences depending on local law enforcement, but it’s still important to do what you can to keep them safe.
KNOW THE RISKS OF UNDERAGE CANNABIS USE.
OWN YOUR FUTURE.
Underage cannabis use can impact more than your health. From legal issues to how it can affect your plans after high school, knowing the risks can help you make the best decisions for your future.
If you’re under 21, it’s illegal.
Colorado cannabis laws require you to be 21 years or older to use, buy, or possess cannabis. But, sometimes medical cannabis/marijuana can be recommended to people under 21 who have a medical condition. If the person is under 18, they can only get a medical card with two doctor recommendations and parent/guardian approval. If you get caught using cannabis illegally (that includes using someone else’s medical cannabis), you could get an MIP (Minor in Possession). This is the case even if a friend or family member over 21 years old buys cannabis legally and gives it to you. Plus, they could get in serious trouble for sharing it with you because it’s a felony.
Don’t lose the trust of family and friends.
If you get caught with cannabis, you can lose your parents’ trust and the freedoms you worked hard to earn. Your friends could also feel disappointed or uncomfortable if they find out you’re using cannabis.
Don’t let cannabis distract you from your team, your club, class, or anything else.
If you’re caught using cannabis, it can seriously impact you at school. You can be kicked off sports teams and banned from extracurricular activities. And, you can even be suspended, expelled, or referred to drug counseling. School is already stressful enough on its own, so to avoid losing things you love, don’t use cannabis in the first place.
Keep your record clean, because driving high can lead to a DUI.
Just like driving drunk, driving high is illegal. Not only could it land you a DUI, but it could also seriously hurt you and other people on the road. Cannabis affects your reaction time, judgment and depth perception, which makes it more dangerous to get behind the wheel. DUIs are also expensive and can cost thousands of dollars in legal fees. You may also spend a lot of hours in court, which could lead to court-appointed community service, probation or possibly even jail.
Your job is too important to get high.
Drug testing is still common for many employers. Many companies do not allow cannabis use, so if you are caught with cannabis at your job or get a DUI or MIP, you could be fired. This could make it harder to be hired in the future. It’s important to know that even if you haven’t used cannabis for several weeks, THC can stay in your system. That means you can test positive even if you haven’t used it recently.