Local officials caution cannabis use among youth
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) - In 2022, 30.7% of US high school 12th graders reported using cannabis in the past year, and 6.3% reported using cannabis daily in the past 30 days.
In the Coachella Valley, it's an issue local law enforcement are seeing as well.
“One of the things with us having cannabis shops and a cannabis lounge is that even though it’s something that’s legal for adults, we want the community to be aware of the impacts it has on juveniles... As far as illegal possession, we have seen some instances of youth being in possession of cannabis when they should not be. A lot of times where we see it is possibly on the DUI side."
Lt. Gustavo Araiza, PSPD
The teen brain is actively developing and continues to develop until around age 25. Cannabis use during adolescence and young adulthood may harm the developing brain.
Negative effects include:
- Difficulty thinking and problem-solving
- Problems with memory and learning
- Reduced coordination
- Difficulty maintaining attention
- Problems with school and social life
Jacquilyn Leath, CEO of Michael's House, says while the effects of cannabis are different for everyone, today's products have higher concentration of THC, the main ingredient that causes the 'high' associated with cannabis use.
“The reality is that cannabis is way more sophisticated than it was 25 years ago… the way marijuana is grown today, the potency levels, how they extract it.”
Jacquilyn Leath, Michael's House CEO
It's recommended parents:
- Talk with their children about the risks of using cannabis while their brains are still developing. Ask your children questions about their cannabis use.
- Know the facts about cannabis. People that begin using cannabis in their teens are more likely to have lasting brain developmental effects and a higher potential for cannabis use disorder.
The City of Palm Springs along with the Boys and Girls Club of Palm Springs will be holding a town hall meeting to focus on marijuana related issues impacting the community on Wednesday, March 26.
Stay with News Channel 3 for more.
