Concerned parents gather at town hall to learn about and discuss cannabis impacts

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) - The City of Palm Springs along with the Boys and Girls Club of Palm Springs held a town hall meeting Wednesday evening to focus on marijuana-related troubles affecting the community.

Community leaders and health experts addressed how the drug is impacting local youth, warning of potential long-term health and cognitive effects. Attendees and parents joined the conversation to share their input and opinions on cannabis issues.

Boys and Girls Club of Palm Springs Executive Director Margaret Keung says the conversations at the town hall needed to be had because the marijuana issues are happening. She adds, "The parents are just not talking about it, either because of the lack of information, misinformation, or just not wanting to have that difficult conversation. But from what we hear from the kids tonight we know that they probably know more than most parents thought they knew."

The latest data on cannabis use shows that just over 30 percent of U.S. high school seniors reported using cannabis in 2022. Their reasons included social pressure, a perception of safety, and increased accessibility.