MARIJUANA AND E-CIGARETTES:
FACTS TEENS CAN USE TO MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES
Consequences
Situation:
You drive under the influence...
Consequences:
Of all the things you could decide to do while under the influence (of
marijuana, over-the-counter medicine or alcohol), driving can be the most dangerous—not
just to yourself, but to other people as well. You could get in a crash and hurt yourself
or others.
Recovering from an injury due to a crash can cost you time out of your life, in a hospital or
rehab facility, your ability to get around—to see friends, to school, to work—if you lose your
license. You might end up having to pay for a lawyer, AND pay for a bunch of other costs.
A crash may also result in someone else being injured or killed because you drove under
the influence. Is it worth it?
Situation:
You get caught with marijuana as a minor...
Consequences:
Juveniles (anyone age 13–20) will have driving privileges revoked for any
offense under this statute. For the first offense, the privileges will be revoked for one year,
or until the person reaches 17 years old, whichever is longer. A second or subsequent offense
will result in the taking away of driving of privileges for two years or until the individual is
18 years old, whichever is longer.
Possession of retail marijuana is illegal for people under 21 (under limited circumstances
medical marijuana is legal for those with medical authorization cards). Teens can be
charged and prosecuted.
Situation:
You want to try marijuana to help curb your anxiety about a class presentation
coming up...
Consequences:
First of all, the FDA has not approved marijuana as a safe and effective
medication. Even though many states have passed laws allowing for marijuana to be used
for a variety of medical conditions, these are not approved drugs by the FDA (unlike
aspirin, ibuprofen or other doctor-prescribed drugs). Some patients report anecdotally
that they have experienced benefits for particular medical conditions. If youth use marijuana
for medical purposes, they must acquire a medical card to be protected from arrest and
prosecution, since marijuana remains illegal for those under 21.
For teens struggling with anxiety, your doctor, school counselor or health care provider may
be able to help. There are also free apps for relaxation techniques such as deep breathing
and mindfulness meditation.
Situation:
You get caught with marijuana in a place that is under federal jurisdiction,
like a national park visitor’s center, or under tribal jurisdiction, like a reservation...
Consequences:
Possessing and selling marijuana remains a crime under federal law,
for both adults and youth. The US Attorney General sets guidance for what types of cases
get prioritized for prosecution. Marijuana cases may be prosecuted for violation of federal
law at the discretion of the US prosecutors.
When you are on tribal land, you must abide by their laws, including those for drug
cultivation, possession and distribution.
Situation:
Your friend overdoses and needs medical attention, but you are high...
Consequences:
There will be lots of health consequences for your friend. Call 911
immediately for help. If you think you’re witnessing an overdose from any drug and you
need to seek medical help to assist someone, the law states that you will receive protection
from criminal charges of drug possession.
The overdose victim you’re helping is protected, too. Call 911. Washington state has a Good
Samaritan law in place; for more information, go to
.
aspx?cite=69.50.315
Situation:
You know that your parents used to smoke marijuana when they were younger
and they thought it wasn’t a big deal...
Consequences:
Back in the day, marijuana may have had a much lower THC level than
today’s newly legal marijuana. We also know more today about the effect that drugs, such
as marijuana and alcohol, have on the developing brain and risk for dependency. Also, we
know now that the brain is still developing until age 26 or so. Why risk it?
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