My teen thinks marijuana is safe and "no big deal". What should I do?

" Cannabis — legal or otherwise — is a hot topic. Parents who provide their kids with balanced information about the effects associated with (marijuana) can help them make informed decisions. It’s more important than ever for parents to address this issue early and often - to help prevent underage use and protect their kids’ health and development." ~drugfreekidscanada.org

Resist Fake News, Fact- Check, & Think Critically With all the conflicting information out there about marijuana, it is easy to understand why some think that the drug is safe and maybe even healthy and helpful. Discuss the following tips from Common Sense Media with your teen and encourage them to seek out real facts about marijuana...the right way.

Tip 1 Rumors Explain that "word-of-mouth" stories and rumors aren't always true. Playing an old-school game of telephone might illustrate the idea of how information can get twisted along the way. Explain the difference between established news organizations that follow certain professional standards and every other type of publisher.

How To Play The Telephone Game

Tip 2 Watch Out for Viral Videos. Videos that circulate around the internet may or may not contain nuggets of real news, but they rarely represent the whole situation. And, like photos, videos can be doctored and edited to bend the truth. Search "Photoshop fails" for visual examples.

Tip 3 The Power of the Question Mark Who made this? Why did they make it?  Do they make money if I believe them? Do they have advertisements on their page for the product they are telling me to use?  Are they trying to get a big reaction from me or just inform me? How can I tell? Is anyone else reporting this news?

Fact Checking Website

Tip 4 Put the Pieces Together Even respected news outlets make mistakes or jump the gun. It's smart to wait to make up your mind about something until you have more information. Show kids how you check other sources and ask questions to get as much truth as possible.

Tip 5 Have a Discussion With Your Teen After each of you has done some research and found some reliable facts, meet and discuss what you have found. Remember to listen to their opinions even if you don't agree. Avoid lecturing and speaking in absolutes. Use phrases like, "Have You Thought About...", "I wonder about....", "You may be right, but I'm not sure. Here is what I found..."

Getting Your Teen To Talk

Resources for Information on Marijuana

Email Shari For More Resources & Support 9616 Micron Ave. Ste 750 Sacramento, CA 95827 (916) 362.2000 ext. 14 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

What To Say When Smart Approaches To Marijuana Where Can I Get Info On Marijuana? Marijuana & The Teen Brain Just Think Twice