As more states legalize the recreational use of marijuana, parents are finding it more challenging to talk to their teens about drug use. A new resource for parents, called the Marijuana Talk Kit takes this new landscape into account. It provides specific examples for starting conversations and answering teens' questions about marijuana. The free resource was released by the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids.

The Talk Kit explains that although marijuana is legal in some states, it does not change the fact that all mind-altering substances - including marijuana - are harmful for the still-developing teen brain. Parents will be more effective in communicating with their teen if they use proven techniques to engage them in conversation, instead of simply lecturing them.

For instance, if your teen shows interest in using marijuana, instead of telling them not to do it, you first want to remain calm and be curious about why they are interested in using a substance and what it may interfere with.  You could ask them, "What is it about marijuana that makes you want to use it? What are some things you enjoy doing that marijuana might get in the way of?" You could also add, "At your age, I would much rather you find healthy ways to cope with difficult feelings and situations than turn to drugs. Can we brainstorm other activities you would be interested participating in?" This shows concern, asks their permission and promotes collaboration in thinking through healthy alternatives, like music, reading or sports.

The Kit provides examples of difficult questions that teens can throw at parents, such as "Would you rather I drink alcohol? Weed is so much safer." A parent could respond by asking, "What is going on in your life that makes you feel like you want to do either?," or "Honestly, I don't want you to be doing anything that can harm you - whether that's smoking pot, cigarettes, drinking or behaving recklessly. I'm interested in knowing why you think weed is safer than alcohol." Reminding your teen that you care deeply about his health and well-being, and expressing genuine curiosity about his thought process, is going to help him open up.

Initial results on studies evaluating the effectiveness of the marijuana extract cannabidiol (CBD) for treating severe epilepsy in children are mixed, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Some parents consider CBD to be a wonder drug for treating their children's severe epilepsy, the article notes. A dozen states have legalized CBD in the past year, and an additional nine states are considering legislation to make the substance legal. Most of the laws and bills allow CBD only to treat severe forms of epilepsy. CBD does not generate a high. It is available in an oil form that can be taken orally.

Some families of children with seizures, who call themselves "marijuana refugees," have moved to Colorado to gain access to CBD. Studies have found some children with seizures appear to improve after taking CBD, but others do not respond, or even get worse.

The substance is also being studied as a potential treatment for schizophrenia, anxiety and other conditions.

"We don't have enough data at this point to recommend marijuana products for families," said Kevin Chapman, a neurologist at Children's Hospital Colorado, who co-authored a study released at an American Epilepsy Society meeting in December. His study included 75 children who took CBD, and found in 33 percent, seizures decreased by more than half. Chapman found 44 percent of children experienced adverse effects after taking CBD, including increased seizures.

Some researchers are concerned that states are passing laws without enough scientific data.

If all new cars had devices that prevent drunk drivers from starting the engine, an estimated 85 percent of alcohol-related deaths could be prevented in the United States, a new study concludes.

The devices, called alcohol ignition interlocks, could prevent more than 59,000 crash fatalities and more than 1.25 million non-fatal injuries, according to the University of Michigan researchers.

The findings appear in the American Journal of Public Health.

"Alcohol interlocks are used very effectively in all 50 states as a component of sentencing or as a condition for having a license reinstated after DUIs, but this only works for the drunk drivers caught by police and it doesn't catch the people who choose to drive without a license to avoid having the interlock installed," said lead author Dr. Patrick Carter.

He said most drunk drivers make about 80 trips under the influence of alcohol before they are stopped for a DUI. "If we decided that every new car should have an alcohol ignition interlock that's seamless to use for the driver and doesn't take any time or effort, we suddenly have a way to significantly reduce fatalities and injuries that doesn't rely solely on police," he told Reuters.

The study assumed it would take 15 years for older cars to be replaced with new vehicles that required interlock devices, which detect blood-alcohol levels. The devices prevent drivers above a certain threshold from starting the vehicle.

While all age groups would suffer fewer deaths and injuries if they used the interlock devices, the youngest drivers would benefit the most, the study found. Among drivers ages 21 to 29 years, 481,000 deaths and injuries could be prevented. Among drivers under 21, almost 195,000 deaths and injuries could be avoided.