Marijuana Use & the Adolescent Brain

Just two years ago, California voters joined a total of 10 states that have now legalized recreational marijuana, and with the public’s growing acceptance of both medical and recreational usage, it is incumbent upon school counselors to explore how to proceed with students’ usage, and how we can help principals and teacher define effective policies and strategies.

Times have changed. The marijuana tussle between federal and state governments has been long standing, with nearly two decades of deliberation. California can take credit/blame for launching this debate in 1996 when the voters narrowly passed Proposition 215, becoming the first state to legalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Now medical marijuana has been approved in 33 states, and according to Fox News, 60% of Americans say they support legalizing recreational marijuana. (February 11, 2019).

So how are California students faring in a legal cannabis state? The Office of Adolescent Health, a subdivision of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, indicates that 39 percent of California high school students have used marijuana one or more times in their lifetime. I have found that students’ perceptions of marijuana are changing. They are seeing marijuana as harmless, blurring the lines between regulated medical use and recreational use.

As we continue into the post-legalization era of marijuana, it is critical that educational efforts keep pace with shifting societal norms. It is important for school counselors to know how to approach marijuana conversation and acknowledge the varying pro and con perceptions of both youth and adult usage. A 2015 feature article from the American Psychological Association, “Marijuana and the Developing Brain,” by Kirsten Weir, underscores the long-term brain-related effects of marijuana on adolescents. Research shows a correlation between adolescent marijuana use and lower IQ, disruption to the development of the frontal cortex and a reduction of cellular activity in the endocannabinoid system. The author considers negative aspect of students’ marijuana use (dosage matters), possibly leading to impairments with planning, decision making, impulsivity, and abstract thinking. The article goes on to show contrasting scientific claims refuting harmful side effects, saying research failed to show any abnormalities in adolescent brain development related to the use of marijuana.

With almost four out of every 10 California students using marijuana at least once before accepting a diploma, I encourage school counselors to develop comprehensive, schoolwide Tier I and Tier II strategies in collaboration with site administrators and other support services staff. Two resources that I have found particularly helpful are the National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens website, which has resources for teens, teachers and parents, and the Substance Abuse and the Mental Health Services Administration Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357), which provides referrals to local organizations to support students with substance use disorders. I believe that school counselors need to take control of the narrative and shape the perceptions of our youth in this post-legalization era. CASC has had many school counselors reaching out asking for resources. As a result, on April 26, CASC will be launching a series of trainings with a half-day workshop in Redwood City. Participants will learn age-specific Multi-Tiered System of Support approaches for educating students about the effects of youth marijuana use. Sarah Grippa, co-director of the Marijuana Education Initiative in Colorado, will share her expertise. To register, go to www.schoolcounselor-ca.org.

Josh Godinez is the 2019 California School Counselor of the Year and a member of the CASC Board of Directors. He has been a high school counselor for over 10 years and is currently working in the Corona-Norco School District.