Cannabis is a plant that is grown for recreational and medical purposes. The plant contains many different compounds. The biggest being CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

CBD:

• Does not give you a high

• Often used for medical reasons, such as managing pain, reducing seizures, and helping with anxiety

THC:

• Does give you a high by interacting with your brain

• Can change your perception, mood, consciousness, and behavior

• Used mostly recreationally

People call cannabis a lot of different names. Here are a few:

• Marijuana

• Weed

• Pot

• Bud

• Grass

• Reefer

• Ganja

• Mary Jane

• Blunt

• Joint

• Green

• Dank

• Flower

• Herb

• Broccoli

• Loud

Cannabis can have many health effects.

Short term:

The short-term effects of cannabis vary from person-to-person. The strength, amount, and how often cannabis is used affects how severe the symptoms will be.

• Dizziness

• Mood changes

• Impaired memory

• Disorientation

• Sleepiness

• Coordination issues

• Altered senses

• Nausea

• Dry mouth

• Increased heart rate

• Hunger

• Anxiety

Long-term:

Research on the long-term effects of cannabis is ongoing, but it is finding that cannabis may be connected to these long-term health effects:

• Increased risk of developing mental health disorders

  • Schizophrenia

  • Depression

  • Social anxiety

• Decreased lung health from smoking and vaping

• Decreased heart health from smoking and vaping

• Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (frequent and sever vomiting)

• Risks to brain development

The younger a person is when starting cannabis use, the more likely they will have health and development problems.

Cannabis keeps getting stronger.

• From the 1990’s - 2022, the average strength of cannabis has risen from 5% to 21%.

• The average strength of cannabis concentrates (products extracted from the cannabis plant) is 69%.

• Cannabis with a higher strength is more likely to cause negative long-term mental health effects - especially when used by youth.

Research is finding that using cannabis as a young person can increases the risk of long-term health problems and effects brain development.

The younger you are when you use cannabis, the more likely you are to develop Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). The health effects of cannabis will follow you throughout your life - avoid using cannabis to set yourself up for a healthy future.

Many young people still think using cannabis is safe. Over half of 10th graders in Washington believe that there is low or no risk from using cannabis once or twice. One in 4 of those students felt that there is low or no risk in using cannabis frequently.

Make sure you talk to the young people in your life – friends, family, and neighbors - to share the importance of staying away from cannabis.

Talking about cannabis with teens can be difficult. Use these resources to help you get started:

Start Talking Now: Campaign to help parents navigate tough conversations about substance use.

Partnership to End Addiction: Tips on how to talk to kids and teens about addiction.

You Can Campaign: Resources about the negative health effects of using cannabis at a young age.