teenagers and pot

[nursingaround1]

I had a worrying interaction a couple of weeks ago, which fits in with a disturbing trend I've noticed with teenagers.

A 16yr old boy was in trouble because of marijuana, and I got chatting with him about it. He genuinely believe it's harmless, but it got worse. He has a cousin and uncle who have battled cancer, and lost. He then said pot helps fight cancer, and he then told me that marijuana is actually good for you.

For all those pro pot people out here, surely you are aware of the dangers of pot and young minds - there is plenty of research to prove that. But what worries me is the growing number of teenagers who feel it is harmless for them. I have also had a couple of other kids say it is actually good for you as well, although this was the first time someone had linked it to fighting cancer.

I often ask the seniors about pot and other drugs, including alcohol, and quite a lot see pot as a healthy alternative to drinking.

[Farawyn]

You've got Doritos? I'm on my way, bringing the Oreos.

I don't even BUY Oreos because I love them so much.

Disclaimer: I don't smoke pot. Just love Oreos.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

I don't even BUY Oreos because I love them so much.

Disclaimer: I don't smoke pot. Just love Oreos.

My philosophy on potting the smoke is... it has medicinal benefits that are vastly superior to anything big pharma can overcharge us for.

Now.. where did I put those Oreos?

[Nurse Leigh]

Ever wonder if companies like Frito Lay and whoever manufactures Oreos do any lobbying in support of legalization? LOL

I heard Colorado had a large increase in pizza joints since recreational use became legal there.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Meh. Pot can be anything and the dumb kids will buy it. The kids in my HS actually say they get "better pot than those other crappier" school districts.

Sorry, kids, it's the same dealers, and the same pot, which may or may not be laced with God knows what.

Agree 100% teens should NOT be smoking pot, nor drinking. But they will.

Legalize it, regulate it, know what is IN it. Export it as a cash crop. Sell it like alcohol.

Pass the Doritos.

You forgot tax it. Imagine how much more money would be in the budget if we legalized and taxed weed.

[Farawyn]

You forgot tax it. Imagine how much more money would be in the budget if we legalized and taxed weed.

Cash crop.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

You forgot tax it. Imagine how much more money would be in the budget if we legalized and taxed weed.

Oh yeah, better back into the local economy, than the drug dealers mattress. For example, Colorado raked in $60 million in marijuana taxes and licensing fees in the past year, plus saved most if not all of the $145 million it spent each year fighting marijuana. Big chunk going to education.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

OP, what country is this in? Is this the full time boarding school?

Teenagers are often misinformed. They have no idea what they are doing in life, they just want to feel good all of the time. They gotta justify it somehow.

Here in the US, much of the country is divided on marijuana use. Look at all of the posts recently asking about drug testing and being a nurse. Even adults have no idea that THC stays in your system for 30 days while alcohol is out in hours. It's not the same.

Medical marijuana use is very different. As an epileptic I read many studies on how marijuana is helping young children with seizure control. Epilepsy is a tricky disease. I'm lucky but it did take almost 8 years to get me on the right meds. I almost died from the seizures in those 8 years. I can understand how the parents of a young child are desperate to save their child and if marijuana works faster and better than the trial and error of meds on the market, I support that. I support the use for the severe nausea from chemo. I had gastropareisis years ago and vomited all the time. The nausea was terrible every minute of my life. I support it for those patients. Being nauseous is horrible. I'd rather be in pain.

i don't support recreational use. I live in a poverty stricken, high drug use town. Drugs destroy families, communities. I just got done doing clinical on a labor and delivery floor where most babies are born addicted to drugs. 7 out of 10. 70% of our babies here are addicted!!! Marijuana is often just a starting point.

[MunoRN, RN]

OP, what country is this in? Is this the full time boarding school?

Teenagers are often misinformed. They have no idea what they are doing in life, they just want to feel good all of the time. They gotta justify it somehow.

Here in the US, much of the country is divided on marijuana use. Look at all of the posts recently asking about drug testing and being a nurse. Even adults have no idea that THC stays in your system for 30 days while alcohol is out in hours. It's not the same.

Active THC is only present for a few hours after ingesting marijuana, drug tests typically look for THC metabolites (non-psycoactive components resulting from the metabolism of THC).

Medical marijuana use is very different. As an epileptic I read many studies on how marijuana is helping young children with seizure control. Epilepsy is a tricky disease. I'm lucky but it did take almost 8 years to get me on the right meds. I almost died from the seizures in those 8 years. I can understand how the parents of a young child are desperate to save their child and if marijuana works faster and better than the trial and error of meds on the market, I support that. I support the use for the severe nausea from chemo. I had gastropareisis years ago and vomited all the time. The nausea was terrible every minute of my life. I support it for those patients. Being nauseous is horrible. I'd rather be in pain.

i don't support recreational use. I live in a poverty stricken, high drug use town. Drugs destroy families, communities. I just got done doing clinical on a labor and delivery floor where most babies are born addicted to drugs. 7 out of 10. 70% of our babies here are addicted!!! Marijuana is often just a starting point.

Marijuana is not a "gateway drug", there is no evidence that marijuana leads people to harder drug use, there is however evidence that legalization/decriminalization of marijuana reduces hard drug use, likely because the illegal drug distribution infrastructure is severely weakened when it doesn't have marijuana as it's foundation.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Interesting but fortunately not too.many teenagers get cancer. But sadly they do get hurt by pot in a variety of ways.

As you are in a position to educate, you are also bound by nursing ethics to do so.

What is your teaching plan?

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

Isn't it true that medical THC used in children to prevent seizures does NOT cause "a high" in the same way smoking weed for recreational purposes does? I saw this recently on the news and am therefore dumbfounded about the resistance to using this therapy for epilepsy.

[Farawyn]

Isn't it true that medical THC used in children to prevent seizures does NOT cause "a high" in the same way smoking weed for recreational purposes does? I saw this recently on the news and am therefore dumbfounded about the resistance to using this therapy for epilepsy.

Not enough research because no one can get rich off of it.

???

[~PedsRN~, BSN, RN]

Alcohol is a FAR more dangerous drug than pot. Look at the statistics.

I am 100% for legalization. Our prescription medications are again, FAR MORE DANGEROUS than marijuana - and much more easily accessed by youngsters. I am a pediatric nurse, and sure - I see the occasional pot head. But they pot heads aren't the ones I see hospitalized for their drug use.... it's the ones that have gotten into their mother's stash of percoset.

I find it interesting that so many health professionals are ready to buy in to the crap that big pharma is selling. Just because it's legal DOES NOT MEAN IT'S SAFE.

Legalize it, regulate it, tax it, and enjoy.

PS - everyone health nut knows it's bad to "smoke" pot. That's why you bake it in brownies.

And side note: I do not smoke pot. I'm just a libertarian. HA!