As most of us have heard—cannabis was legalized in New York State for adult use. Our Cortland County community has since been abuzz with people concerned for the well-being of the local youth population and what cannabis legalization will mean for them.
As with any substance that’s legal for adult use, such as alcohol or tobacco products, parents should continue to be a reliable source of information about cannabis for their teens.
We know this can be easier said than done.
How to Initiate the Talk
It can sometimes be difficult and awkward to bring up conversations about alcohol and marijuana use with your teen. Remember to engage your teen in conversation, rather than lecturing and try to understand their thoughts on the topic.
Bring it up in an informal setting and plan to have many smaller conversations over a period of time. News about cannabis legalization itself is a great way to engage your child in conversation and ask about their thoughts on marijuana and alcohol. You can also use a movie or TV scene with underage drinking or marijuana use as a conversation starter.
Know the Facts
Your teen should always view you as a reliable source of information when it comes to alcohol and marijuana. This involves knowing what the norms are for their peers—luckily, we survey 7th-12th graders in Cortland County every year so we can share that information with you!
Years of research has shown that if teens misperceive that their peers are drinking alcohol that can lead to them drink as well.
Communicate to your teen that most of their peers have not used marijuana or alcohol in the past month, even if it seems like they have.
Make sure they know this information came from a recent survey of over 1,800 Cortland County 7th-12th graders.
Share these facts:
- 76% of 15 and 16 year olds in Cortland County did not used alcohol in the past month.
- 84% of 15 and 16 year olds in Cortland County did not use marijuana in the past month.
Bring Up Health Consequences
Teen brains are still developing so alcohol and marijuana use impacts teens differently than adults. It can also be difficult for teens to understand long term consequences of alcohol and marijuana use—so bring up consequences that they will understand in the short term.
- School: Students who drink alcohol are more likely to have academic problems than those who don’t drink and frequent marijuana use is linked to lower educational achievement.
- Athletics: Marijuana use can impact coordination and alcohol use can effect strength and power for up to three days
- Mental health: Alcohol and marijuana have been linked to depression and anxiety in youth.
Set Family Rules
Setting clear family rules, specific to your family values, is a number one way parents can prevent their teen from drinking alcohol. Discuss your family rules with your kids. The National Institute of Health suggests the following rules for alcohol use (but now that cannabis is legalized for adult use they can apply to marijuana as well):
- No drinking or marijuana use until age 21
- Siblings should not encourage or provide alcohol or marijuana to younger siblings
- Leave parties where there is drinking or marijuana use
- No riding with a driver that has been using marijuana or drinking (call a trusted adult)
Be clear about your expectations for alcohol and marijuana use. Have an open discussion with your teenager about what they think the consequences should be if the use alcohol or marijuana.
References
1. Make a Difference: Talk to your child about alcohol-Parents. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/make-a-difference-child-alcohol
2. Talk.They Hear You. SAMHSA. https://www.samhsa.gov/underage-drinking
3. Alcohol and Athletic Performance. National Collegiate Athletic Association. https://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/Alcohol%20and%20Athletic%20Performance%20Fact%20Sheet.pd
4. Talking With Your Child About Marijuana. SAMHSA. https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/marijuana-brochure-newpics-r15f_508c.pdf
5. What You Need to Know About Marijuana Use in Teens. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/factsheets/teens.htm#:~:text=Marijuana%20use%20in%20adolescence%20or,peers%20who%20do%20not%20use.&text=Increased%20risk%20of%20mental%20health%20issues.
