Impact on Youth

Addiction is a pediatric onset disease; 9 out 10 adults with a substance use disorder started using marijuana, alcohol, or nicotine before age 18.

1 in 6 youth who use marijuana regularly become addicted; Marijuana is the #1 substance for youth seeking treatment for substance disorder.

The average potency of today's marijuana is 18-23% THC, compared to potency in the 1970s which averaged

1–3%  THC.  

Marijuana store locations and exposure to advertising increases likelihood and frequency  of youth use.

Youth who use marijuana are exponentially more likely to use other drugs​ - 8x more likely to binge drink, 10x more likely to use other illicit drugs.

Marijuana edibles are deceptively designed to resemble standard snacks, candy and treats but contain high levels of  THC

Early marijuana use is significantly linked to mental illness: schizophrenia, psychosis, depression, and anxiety.

Marijuana is linked to school failure, lower income, and poor quality of life; Persistent heavy use of marijuana is linked to a drop in IQ of up to 8 points

After alcohol, marijuana is the substance most linked to drugged driving;  Drivers high on marijuana are twice as likely to crash.