Talk With Your Kids ABout
Cannabis
Did You Know?
Studies show that talking with your kids about the dangers of substance use makes them 50% less likely to start using
Tennessee Together Survey Results
The Tennessee Together Survey is given every two years to 8th, 10th, and 12th graders. It captures data on substance use attitudes and behaviors.
When asked how often students talked with their parents about the dangers of alcohol or other drugs in the past year, these were the results:
Only once - 36.9%
More than once - 16.8%
Results by Grade
8th - 52.3%
10th - 57.1%
12th - 51.6%
Overall Total - 53.7%
Based on the above data, it is clear parents need to engage with their kids more often and in a more consistent manner regarding not using substances.
Where to Begin: Talking Checklist
1. Educate Yourself
2. Find the Time
3. Develop a Plan
4. Resistance Skills for Them
5. Resistance Skills for You
6. Practice Listening
7. Delay Use
8. Natural High
1. Educate Yourself
Take time to research the substances you want to discuss with your kids. Cannabis can be an especially tricky topic, so having a basic understanding will help you answer their questions.
But don't worry, if you don't know how to answer a question, take the time to look it up. You can even look it up together with your kid to make it a learning experience for both of you.
Laws
Under both federal and state laws, marijuana is illegal. Delta-8 products are legal in Tennessee but only over the age of 21.
When looking at potential medical benefits, the FDA has approved one cannabis-derived drug product:
Epidiolex: treatment of seizures
and three synthetic cannabis-related drug products:
Marinol: nausea associated with cancer chemotherapy and anorexia associated with weight loss in AIDS patients
Syndros: nausea associated with cancer chemotherapy and anorexia associated with weight loss in AIDS patients
Cesamet: nausea associated with cancer chemotherapy.
Medical marijuana is not legal in Tennessee.
Safety
THC is a compound found in cannabis that is responsible for the "high" feeling. THC potency has been climbing over the years.
Prior to the 90’s: 1-2% THC
90’s: Around 4% THC
1995-2015: Around 12-13% THC
2017: Around 17-28% THC
Now: Some products such as oils, dabs, edibles can get as high as 99% THC
The increase in THC percentage can lead to serious issues for youth due to their ongoing brain development, which doesn't end until around the age of 25. Some of these long term problems include:
Disruption of memory and learning skills
Issues breathing
Cough or lung sickness
Severe nausea and vomiting
Reduced coordination and reaction time
Performance issues at school or work
A greater likelihood of dropping out of school
Poor decision-making and judgement
Peers
The data shows that not everyone is using cannabis products. According to the Tennessee Together Student Survey 2022-2023, only 12.7% of Sullivan County students have used marijuana in their lifetimes, and only 6.9% of Sullivan County students have used marijuana in the past 30 days.
When talking with your kids, these numbers might put the total number of kids using into perspective. Just because someone at school says they are using drugs does not mean they actual are, and it also does not mean everyone else is using.
2. Find the Time
Saying “we need to talk” might not work as this could put your kid on edge. Instead, saying these instead:
“I saw this on tv, what are your thoughts”
“I’m interested in learning more about vaping, what do you know about it?”
“Is anyone at school vaping?”
Finding the correct time to talk is just as important as easing into the conversation. Here are some times to bring up these issues:
To and from school
To and from sports practice
To and from church
Dinner
Instead of longer talks, try to have more frequent shorter talks to keep the subject fresher in their minds.
3. Develop a Family Plan
Working together to develop a plan shows your kid you are invested and care about the topic at hand. There is no-one-size-fits-all approach. The plan needs to work for your family.
Include:
Your expectation of no use
The consequences if the plan is broken
Assurances, if there is a slip up, that you are there to talk
4. Build Their Resistance Skills
No isn’t always enough. Discuss reasons they feel comfortable with.
(School) I’m trying to not get caught. (OR) I can’t afford to get in trouble again.
(Sports) No, if Coach finds out I will be in trouble.
(Personal Health) No thanks, I’m trying to be healthier this year.
(The Classic Heel) I could get in a lot of trouble with my parents, it’s just not worth the risk. (OR) You know my parents, I better not.
5. Build Your Resistance Skills
Remember, you are the parent, you need to be able to say no. It might be hard, but saying no is the correct response in some situations.
This is also the time to be honest with them about your past history of use if asked. Let them know why is was unsafe and some of the differences between today's cannabis products and products in the past (such as the much higher THC content).
6. Practice Listening
Working on active listening can go a long way. Ask questions and get them talking. Follow-up with any points that can keep the conversation going and play dumb. The more they explain, the better the conversation can become.
It's never too early to have age appropriate conversations.
7. Delay Use
As mentioned above in greater detail, the use of cannabis products during adolescence can lead to a variety of serious developmental issues.
The longer substance use is delayed, the more likely your kid will never start in the first place and it will also reduce the chance of them developing a substance use disorder down the road.
8. Natural High
One of the main reasons kids are using substances is due to stress and anxiety.
If your kid can find a healthy alternative “Natural High," this can help alleviate stress and anxiety as well as increase their natural dopamine in their brain. Some examples of natural highs include:
Sports
Art
Working out
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Some of these skills can take time to learn. The more practice you have, the better you will become.
We also offer workshops which go into greater detail on these topics and give an in depth background on cannabis products. For more information contact