Does anyone let their teenager smoke weed?

[Anonymous]

A friend of mine has a teenager, who suffers from depression and anxiety. She allows him to smoke weed, in order to keep him calm. It is not medically prescribed. How common is it to let your teenager just smoke weed? Is it that big of a deal? I don’t know much about it, I just wanted to get others thoughts on it..

[Anonymous]

No, studies have shown it's deleterious for developing brains. It's better to develop non-pharmaceutical techniques for anxiety, and as a last resort, go on anti-anxiety meds.

[Anonymous]

These kids are also more susceptible to substance issues later.

Why whould she not opt for a mental health professional?

[Anonymous]

I don't "let" my child smoke weed, but I know they smoke weed.

I did have 1 friend take her 19 year old for a medical card because she wanted her getting safe weed.

Why is this your business?

[Anonymous]

I grew up in an area where this was really common. Many friends smoked with their parents recreationally. As far as I am aware, none of them developed crippling addictions.

[Anonymous]

Jesus. That is so awful.

[Anonymous]

I’m aware that my 18 yo smokes weed occasionally. He doesn’t think I know. If I saw signs of overuse or dependence I would intervene (as I would with alcohol) but I do not.

[Anonymous]

My thought is that you should stay in your own lane about this, OP.

[Anonymous]

My thoughts are that it’s stupid and irresponsible and if your friend took the time to google it she would see that for adolescents there is a very real risk of psychosis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in an area where this was really common. Many friends smoked with their parents recreationally. As far as I am aware, none of them developed crippling addictions.

This was us growing up. I haven’t touched it in over 25 years now and I rarely even drink. I wouldn’t encourage my kids and would intervene if it started preventing them from other things in life or if their were being really unsafe, like driving. It wasn’t the gateway drug for any of my friends.

[Anonymous]

Remember, out parents were the hippie generation so I saw my mom with it a few times. She didn’t consider it a bad thing.

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

It actually helped our kid who had Lyme and alleviated CFS. DH now using for his neurological disease very successfully. It can be a lifesaver used properly. The high levels of THC these days are the problem for developing brains however supplementing with CBD helps mitigate THC effects and also has most of the benefits especially for seizures, tremors and anxiety and depression. Way fewer side effects too. Less addictive than alcohol for sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A friend of mine has a teenager, who suffers from depression and anxiety. She allows him to smoke weed, in order to keep him calm. It is not medically prescribed. How common is it to let your teenager just smoke weed? Is it that big of a deal? I don’t know much about it, I just wanted to get others thoughts on it..

I know a guy like this who used weed for this exact purpose as a teen well into adulthood. By 33 he was stoned 24/7 and wound up diagnosed bipolar (based on symptoms I would guess schizophrenic as well but he won’t see a dr regularly). His wife divorced him and I believe he is homeless and couch surfing the last I heard.

I wish I were an anti-weed troll but this is the truth and why I won’t let my kids smoke weed to alleviate mental health problems. They need clinical diagnoses and care or you risk winding up with a spiraling addict.

A healthy, well adjusted teen that uses weed occasionally for recreation is not nearly as big of a deal as one using it to cope with mental health problems.

[Anonymous]

Sorry I should have said *mentally healthy* teen above. I realize there are actual physical ailments it can help with.