Cannabis Craze Among Youth in Canada

Thanks to widespread legalization, marijuana is perceived as less risky than other drugs like methamphetamines or opioids. There are countless movies & TV shows that have depicted marijuana as a consequence-free way to have fun & relax. However, it is essential to remember which is still a controlled substance that can have long-term health effects – including addiction, which impacts a user’s brain & body. All thanks to the legalization, Canadian cannabis craze is on the rise.

Trends in Marijuana Use Over Time Among Youth in Canada

Many teenagers try Cannabis, and some use it on a regular basis. In Canada, teenage marijuana use is at its highest level in the 30 years, & today’s teens are more likely to use cannabis rather than tobacco. Many states in Canada allow recreational use of marijuana in adults ages 21 & over. Nowadays, Cannabis Delivery in Canada is legal, so stoners can easily buy it from the online stores.

In addition, marijuana plants are grown differently compared to the past days and can contain two to three times more tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is the ingredient that makes people high. The ingredient of this plant thought to have the most medical benefits, cannabidiol (CBD), has not risen and remains at about 1%.

There are several ways people can use marijuana. Check out the ways you can use Marijuana:

You can smoke the dried plant (buds and flowers) in a rolled cigarette (joint), pipe, or bong. Smoking liquid or maybe wax marijuana in an electronic cigarette is known as vaping. Eating “edibles” that are baked goods & candies containing marijuana products. Drinking beverages that consist of marijuana products. The stoners use oils and tinctures which can be applied to the skin

Apart from it, other names used to describe marijuana are weed, pot, spliffs, or the name of the strain of the plant. There are some synthetic (man-made) marijuana-like drugs as well, such as “K2” & “Spice.” These synthetic drugs are different from marijuana & seem to be far more dangerous.

Using Marijuana for Medical Purposes

Some teens justify using marijuana as it is also used for medical purposes. Marijuana is used with a prescription for various medical reasons. Moreover, the Laws for Canadian Cannabis are rapidly changing & they are varying from state to state. There are some states where children of any age can get medical marijuana if they have a ‘qualifying particular medical condition.’ But there is still limited research that is supporting the use of medical marijuana in children or teens for most conditions. The states which allow medical marijuana generally check the ingredients of marijuana for purity, strength, or safety. Still, there is no evidence that medical marijuana is beneficial to intake with the doctor’s prescription.

Additionally, many parents have questions regarding Cannabidiol (CBD) & how it may be helpful for their child. There is still ongoing research on the use of CBD-containing products for conditions like epilepsy, PTSD, Tourette’s disorder, pain, as well as other diagnoses. For now, the use of Cannabidiol (CBD) is only FDA-approved in children for particular forms of epilepsy & in adults for chemotherapy induced nausea or vomiting.

Right now, there is no clear evidence to recommend CBD for other uses in children & adolescents, including the treatment of autism as well as other developmental disorders. The approved Cannabidiol (CBD) requires a prescription. Nowadays, many stores are selling CBD products. Moreover, there are safety & quality needs for non-prescription CBD. This is because they may have harmful additives with prescription medication. In case you are considering using it for your young ones, don’t hesitate to discuss this with a physician.

Teach your Teens About the Dangers of Recreational Use of Drugs

Of course, many dangers are involved in recreational drug use & impulsive decision-making, which often come with adolescence. So, parents need to maintain open communication with their children. Talking to teenagers about drugs is essential to avoid any issues which may be involved after consuming Cannabis regularly. If you provide them with complete education about the recreational use of the drugs, it will encourage the teenager to make informed & positive choices.

Parents are required to set limits & expectations, openly discuss the consequences of recreational drug use & help teenagers learn how to manage peer pressure as well as their emotions. Parents need to ensure their children know that, although recreational marijuana is legal in some states, it does not mean that it does not involve any risks or dangers.

It is recommended that youth should not use cannabis recreationally because it can potentially harm them. The Canadian youth are at significant risk for developing CUD &, possibly, increasing their risk of having a psychotic illness. Driving under the influence of cannabis raises the risk of motor vehicle accidents. That is why the potential extension of the legal cannabis industry in Canada has raised a dilemma about the most appropriate age for its legal use. On the one hand, prohibiting cannabis use until the mid-20s would protect youth during a period of critical brain development.

Cannabis legislation will have a great impact on the lives & health of children and youth, which is why safeguards are necessary. To protect children as well as adolescents from the harms associated with recreational cannabis use and cannabis dependence, the Canadian Paediatric Society recommends that the Governments should prohibit sales of all cannabis online in Vancouver products to children & youth under the legal age for buying tobacco products & alcohol (18 or 19 years, depending on location), prohibit dispensaries from being located close to elementary, middle and high schools, and youth facilities. Mandate package warnings for all cannabis products, including known & potential harmful effects of exposure that are similar to messaging on cigarette packaging, and actively monitor the impacts on youth of changes to cannabis legislation.

Final Thoughts:

Of course, the Canadian cannabis craze is increasing day by day. Since we now know that addiction causes changes in the brain which makes it uncomfortable & harmful for users to quit. For example, marijuana activates particular brain receptors, which lead to mood changes, impaired memory, and decision-making. In fact, people who try to stop using pot after developing high dependence will experience withdrawal symptoms & crave the drug to feel ‘normal.’ So, it is essential to make the youth aware of the uses and effects of marijuana and its products.