Baltimore Sun columnist says societal acceptance of marijuana leads to more teen use

By Staff Writer

A drug abuse expert is worried that society's lax attitude toward marijuana leads many problem teens to use the illegal substance.

In an editorial for The Baltimore Sun, Nicole Brochu wrote that many adults have become more tolerant and accepting of marijuana use, which is sending the wrong message to kids. She added that many parents believe that today's marijuana has lower levels of THC than in past generations, which leads some to dismiss the danger and addictive nature of smoking cannabis.

In addition, Brochu said that a nationwide movement to legalize medical marijuana has caused some teenagers to view the drug as legal and socially acceptable. However, she warned that teens who use the substance may cause significant damage to their brains, which are still developing. In addition, adolescents who smoke marijuana are more likely to try other recreational drugs and develop substance abuse habits during adulthood.

The 2010 Monitoring the Future Survey, which was conducted by the University of Michigan, reveals that marijuana is the most common drug used by American teenagers. Researchers found that about one in every 16 high school seniors smokes marijuana on a daily basis.