STRONG POT -- Our toking high schoolers

[Anonymous]

This could easily be on both public or private forum. The bust has happened, my sophomore was caught (after the fact) after smoking pot at a party. Plenty of the best kids were in attendance, and let's face it, it's confusing for everyone when it's legal, medical, semi-this or that. My concern, besides the fact we need to drill into DC's brain that 16 is not the time, if there is ever a time it is after their teen brain has had a chance to stay healthy, this ain't the pot from the 70's or 80's. My kid and the kids he were with were practically in a stupor, not a mellow silly high. A paranoid, long to dissipate experiment that is frightening. Anyone out there care to share their own experiences? I know I'm not the only parent shaking down my teenager when he can't open eyes all the way. Not interested in advice on parenting, I'm nipping this in the bud (pardon the pun) and while I know this is not entirely preventable, I am actively trying to educate my DC on the reasons this is potentially dangerous, and minimally stupid. Where are they getting the weed?

[Anonymous]

Plenty of dealers in DC and some are in the high schools. Be aware he also has easy access to drugs a lot harder than pot.

[Anonymous]

I'm glad kids doing dumb stuff aren't heading to prison but I also don't think it's good for DC to be an open air strong pot smokeout as some DC councilmembers may wish. Thank you for bringing this up.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I have found it impossible to stop with my DS that I busted at 16. The weed "dealer" in my kids case was another high school student who I have known since he was in 2nd grade. Like you said, even the good kids are doing it.

[Anonymous]

OP here, I am aware, I have heard about kids ordering blotter/acid online from China!! And using it! If we weren't all un-PC at my house, checking in on the almighty smartphone info we would be none the wiser to the random stoner event that alerted us. There needs to be more dialog about the medicinal properties of pot, hence legalization, vs the fact what they are getting/seeing in HS could be anything from synthetic to real (with very high THC levels vs the 1% THC known in the 70's), and some mixed. The kids think anyone hawking pot is offering one "brand" that they hear about on the news, and hear about when cities are declaring victories as their states become legal places for marijuana. This is a real time problem, and the private v. public perception for our children is very dangerous.

[Anonymous]

Adults who smoke good bud know to ask how strong it is, take a few hits, and decide if they want more. Adults who drink liquor know to sip it.

Teens are often dumb. Just as some teens will drink a whole bottle of liquor, they will smoke a whole blunt. The good news is that getting this high will cause no lasting damage, assuming they quickly learn that being mellow and giggly is a lot more fun than being completely wrecked and useless. Many teens do learn this. The ones that don't need support.

[Anonymous]

Sorry you are dealing with this. What school is this where he is encountering this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry you are dealing with this. What school is this where he is encountering this?

NP here. All the schools. Period.

[Anonymous]

20:34, no need to be sorry, if you have a teenager they will encounter it, or their friends will and perhaps you indirectly. It is everywhere. The question is...how to keep the experimenting teens safe and informed without shutting the down (or locking them in!). I understand your point, 20:32, but do we really want to be in a position to advise our youth how to "take a hit or two" then wait for that mellow desirable state? Is it 1 or 5? How ridiculous, we need to strategize to explain to our kids the stuff they may be offered could be anything -- and 1 hit or 20 could result in a psychotic reaction because everyone's physiology is unique.

[Anonymous]

Havent people been sayingh pot stronger now than it was when we were kids for like the past 40 years (that I can remember at least)? Is it actually true, just a sign you've passed into middle age, or both?

[Anonymous]

Well maybe we haven't been copping any since the 80's and the innocent "toke" our kids try may debilitate them these days. Yes I'm middle aged. You?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I am aware, I have heard about kids ordering blotter/acid online from China!! And using it! If we weren't all un-PC at my house, checking in on the almighty smartphone info we would be none the wiser to the random stoner event that alerted us. There needs to be more dialog about the medicinal properties of pot, hence legalization, vs the fact what they are getting/seeing in HS could be anything from synthetic to real (with very high THC levels vs the 1% THC known in the 70's), and some mixed. The kids think anyone hawking pot is offering one "brand" that they hear about on the news, and hear about when cities are declaring victories as their states become legal places for marijuana. This is a real time problem, and the private v. public perception for our children is very dangerous.

Besides acid, it is reasonably easy for HSers to obtain ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin. Not to mention amphetamines that can be crushed and snorted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Havent people been sayingh pot stronger now than it was when we were kids for like the past 40 years (that I can remember at least)? Is it actually true, just a sign you've passed into middle age, or both?

No, it's stronger.

"We've seen a big increase in marijuana potency compared to where it was 20 or 30 years ago," lab founder and director of research Andy LaFrate, Ph.D., said in a video released by ACS. Based on testing in laboratory equipment, "I would say the average potency of marijuana has probably increased by a factor of at least three. We're looking at average potencies right now of around 20 percent THC."

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive compound in marijuana that acts on the brain to produce the feeling of being high.

"As far as potency goes, it's been surprising how strong a lot of the marijuana is," LaFrate said of the samples his lab has tested in recent months. "We've seen potency values close to 30 percent THC, which is huge."

Compared to the 1980s, when federal officials say the level was about 4 percent, "that's a dramatic increase in the part that gets you high," CBS News medical contributor Dr. David Agus said on "CBS This Morning."

Link:http://www.cbsnews.com/news/marijuana-far-more-potent-than-it-used-to-be-tests-find/

[Anonymous]

So when kids of folks who frequent this board are caught smoking weed is a place for informed discussion about the good kids gone astray. Got it.

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I have found it impossible to stop with my DS that I busted at 16. The weed "dealer" in my kids case was another high school student who I have known since he was in 2nd grade. Like you said, even the good kids are doing it.

[Anonymous]

21:13- that is a bit ignorant. I know it is frightening but assuming you are a parent may as well accept...first step after denial. It is out there and even the Ivy early acceptance kids are taking. I am seeking common strategies and information to help our younger teenagers not get overboard, or in at all. I heard that a popular pot dealer is a 30 year old who grows indoors and has invited certain older high schoolers to his place.