Disclosure: This post about how to talk to your child about retail marijuana is sponsored by Single Edition Media on behalf of the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.
As a flight attendant, I meet new people on a daily basis. Small talk with hundreds of people a week, usually leads to some people finding out I live in Colorado. And once they find out, the conversation quickly turns into a conversation about the legalization of retail marijuana. While these people are often wondering how retail marijuana has affected Colorado, I find myself frequently thinking how different life is for our children.
Not only is retail marijuana legal for adults 21+ only, there are health effects and other consequences related to underage use.
Did you know that retail marijuana in Colorado is only legal for adults 21+ years old?
We know that youth brain development is not complete until age 25, which means our children should not use retail marijuana so they have the best chance to reach their full potential. This also means that parents are responsible for educating their children about the facts and telling their children their expectations.
I am pretty sure I can speak for many of us, that when we were underage teenagers it wasn’t difficult to get our hands on alcohol at parties or events. The same can be said for youth with retail marijuana these days.
According to the 2014 Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) report, “Monitoring Health Concerns Related to Marijuana in Colorado,” more than one out of three high school seniors who have used marijuana started using before age 15.
This is why, it is our responsibility as parents and guardians, to have conversations with our children before they first try marijuana.
So as a parent or, guardian, what should you know?
One of the best ways to deter underage retail marijuana use it to be informed! When you are informed about retail marijuana you can be more confident in talking to your children using facts and data, rather than assumptions that cannot be backed.
One of the best resources to educate yourself about retail marijuana is Good To Know. Here you’ll learn facts like:
● Youth who use marijuana regularly are more likely to have difficulty learning, memory issues and lower math and reading scores.
● A Minor In Possession charge can cause a student to lose financial aid for college, even outside Colorado.
● Breaking school policies can result in removal from sports teams and extracurricular activities, school suspensions, expulsions and drug counseling.
The website also highlight tips about talking to youth about difficult topics, such as underage retail marijuana use. When you talk to your children about retail marijuana it is important to be open and listen to them. You want your children to ask you questions and to confide in you. When you keep the conversation open, your children are more likely to accept what your expectations are.
Beyond your child, talk with your peers about underage retail marijuana.
There are often many influential adults in your child’s life. A pastor, a teacher, a coach, a counselor, a grandparent, an older sibling or a neighbor are just some of the adults that might be of influence to your child. Often these people have a big impact on your child and, whether your child admits it or not, your child cares what these people think.
That is why it is important to talk with other adults in your child’s life. Let your peers know your stance on underage retail marijuana use and prevention. And, share with them the information you’ve learned so they too can have informed conversations with your child and the other youth in their lives.
For more information and resources created especially for parents in Colorado to talk to their kids about marijuana use, visit Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment’s Good To Know website.