Marijuana or cannabis is often the first drug that kids experiment with, especially in states where it’s legalized. Understanding the facts and basic information about marijuana is important to answer curious kids and guide conversations when it’s time to talk to your child about marijuana.

Sam Wang, MD, medical toxicologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado answers frequently asked questions and misconceptions about marijuana.

What is marijuana?

Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems and seeds of the cannabis plant. It contains various compounds known as cannabinoids, that when smoked or ingested, bind to receptors to have various effects in the brain and body. Cannabis has many types of cannabinoids, but the two main types (and often most talked about) include delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the chemical that causes the “high” or psychoactive effects experienced by users. CBD doesn’t cause intoxication and works differently in the body.

While cannabis is its scientific name, the drug often goes by a long list of slang terms like weed, pot, flower or grass. And when people feel the effects of marijuana, they often refer to it as “getting high” or “getting stoned.”

What is CBD?

CBD is widely sold in many different products including oils, extracts or supplements. They are sold to be used as muscle rubs, massage oils, sleep aids and face creams. However, CBD products remain unregulated by the Federal Drug Administration and may not work as advertised or include the actual ingredients that are listed.

“CBD has been shown in some research to have some benefit for specific medical conditions, but there are a lot of health claims associated with CBD that are unproven,” Dr. Wang says.

Currently, the only FDA-approved CBD product is an antiseizure drug used to treat certain refractory epilepsy syndromes.

Is marijuana a drug?

Yes. The THC in marijuana affects the way your brain works. It is a mind-altering chemical that can affect learning, memory and reaction time. With continued use, the drug can affect someone’s mental health and lead to paranoia, anxiety, psychosis, delusions and hallucinations. While prolonged frequent use can lead to nausea and vomiting. And like any other drug, people who use marijuana frequently can also go through withdrawal when they stop.

“Just like with frequent use of any drug, your body can form a dependence on cannabis as well. If someone stops, they can also go through withdrawal which includes symptoms of nausea, vomiting, shakiness, fatigue and irritability,” Dr. Wang says.

With frequent use in adolescents, marijuana can impact brain development, mental health, academic achievement and put them at risk for addiction and use of other drugs.

How is marijuana consumed?

People typically smoke the dried flower of marijuana in hand-rolled cigarettes (joints), in pipes (bowls) or water pipes (bongs). They can also smoke it in cigars that have been emptied of tobacco and refilled with a mixture of marijuana and tobacco known as blunts. Marijuana smoke has a pungent and distinctive, usually sweet-and-sour odor that can contain similar carcinogens (cancer-causing compounds) to those in cigarette smoke.

Vaping, on the other hand, involves using an e-cigarette or vaping pen to vaporize and inhale THC concentrates. The smell can often be less detectable than other smoking methods and the THC dose can be much higher.

THC concentrates called “dabs”, “shatter”, “waxes” or “budders” include at least three times the normal potency or concentration than other marijuana products.

What are marijuana edibles?

You can also consume marijuana by eating or drinking it. Marijuana edibles are any foods that contain THC and can often be found in products such as baked goods, chocolate, gummy candy and even beverages. The effects of edibles can also be delayed more than smoking, and the effects can last longer.

“There are a couple studies that show that adolescents will choose edibles because they know it won’t be detected — no one can smell them and they don't have to smoke it,” Dr. Wang notes. “With smoking, the high is usually quicker and it comes down faster versus edibles, that can be delayed two to four hours and can last longer.”

In many cases, edibles look very similar to regular food. Just like in the photo above, many people can’t tell the difference between regular candy and ones infused with marijuana. That can make edibles very dangerous for children who may come across them and accidentally eat them. It’s important for parents to know the signs of possible marijuana intoxication in children. If you have marijuana edibles in your home, keep them safe away from your children.  And if you are concerned your child may have gotten into your marijuana, call the poison center for advice at 1-800-222-1222.

What is high concentration or potency in marijuana?

Potency or concentration refers to how strong the marijuana product is based on the amount of THC it contains. Products with higher THC levels are sometimes called “high-potency” and can cause stronger and sometimes less predictable effects, especially for naive users. Today’s marijuana products are much different from ones in the past and can vary widely in potency. Dried flower cannabis concentration is around 20%, compared to < 5% from decades ago.

Why do people use marijuana?

There are many reasons people use marijuana. Similarly to alcohol use, some people do it for fun, to relax or to cope with overwhelming emotions. Others use it for medical conditions, with or without guidance from a medical professional. Teens may feel pressured to try it because of their friends, what they’ve seen online or in TV shows or the appealing packaging and marketing of products or dispensaries (shops that sell marijuana). 

What are side effects of using marijuana?

Using marijuana can have a variety of physical and mental health effects. While some people feel relaxed after smoking or eating marijuana, harmful side effects can include:

• Paranoia or anxiety
• Psychosis
• Worsening of depression
• Problems with learning or memory
• Altered sensory perception
• Trouble with coordination
• Increased appetite

Another serious symptom seen by Dr. Wang is frequent abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, also called cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). CHS can happen with prolonged marijuana use.

What effects can marijuana use have on children and teens?

Young people who use marijuana regularly can have impacts on their academic achievement and can be less likely to graduate from high school. Frequent use during youth can impact brain development and impair attention, learning and memory. Importantly, children and teens that struggle with their mental health can be at an even greater risk of negative symptoms. There’s some evidence that regular marijuana use leads to an increased risk of psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia and psychosis, anxiety, and worsening depression.

Is marijuana addictive?

Yes, marijuana can be addictive. People who use marijuana can develop a marijuana use disorder — including dependence on the drug or addiction. These disorders are 4 to 7 times more common in people who begin using marijuana before age 18.

If you’re concerned that your child is struggling with overuse or cannabis addiction, it’s important to reach out to a healthcare professional for help.