Cannabis — Lets Talk

SUBSTANCES

CANNABIS

Not the Drug You Remember

Cannabis

Today's Cannabis The Science Myth Busters Scripts Articles

A New Landscape

Many of us grew up thinking of marijuana as low-risk, not in the same league as the "serious" drugs. That picture has changed. Today's vapes, edibles, and concentrates are a different drug, and the more we understand it, the better equipped we are to talk with our children about it.

TODAY’S CANNABIS

THE SCIENCE

The Latest Research

Two landmark studies published in 2025 and 2026 have reshaped what we know about cannabis and adolescent health. The numbers are striking, and they come from research conducted right here in California.

2x

the risk of a psychotic disorder for teens who use cannabis.

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What it means for you: In a study of 463,396 California teens, those who used cannabis were more than twice as likely to develop a psychotic disorder and about twice as likely to develop bipolar disorder by their mid-20s. Today's high-potency cannabis is not the plant of a generation ago, and delaying use is protective.

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Teen use is tied to later depression and suicidal thoughts.

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What it means for you: A review pooling 11 studies and more than 23,000 people found that using cannabis in adolescence was linked to a higher risk of depression and suicidal behavior in young adulthood, even in kids with no prior mental health condition. The "it helps them relax" story does not hold up over time.

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Regular use is linked to worse school outcomes.

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What it means for you: A large review found that frequent and early cannabis use was associated with lower grades, less school completion, and poorer academic achievement. During the years when learning shapes a kid's future, regular use gets in the way.

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Exploring Common Misconceptions About Cannabis

There are so many misconception about cannabis that it can be hard to know what’s real. These myth busters were designed to help you to make sense of the misconceptions and respond with facts, whether you’re talking to a teen or another parent.

MYTH BUSTERS

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Myths Busted

SCRIPTS

Conversation Starters

You don't need a perfect speech, just a starting point. These talking points are designed to open dialogue about weed, not close it down. Pick the one that fits where you are right now.

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