\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t <\/p>\n \tRelated story \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tElle King\u2019s Autism Diagnosis Proves It\u2019s Never Too Late to Find Answers: \u2018Everything Makes So Much Sense Now\u2019\t\t<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p><\/div>\n \t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<\/article>\n \t \n\tIn fact, for teens who used cannabis, the risk of developing psychotic and bipolar disorders roughly doubled.<\/p>\n \n\tIf you\u2019re a millennial parent, you probably remember that infamous \u201cAbove the Influence\u201d anti-drug PSA where a teenager literally melts into the couch<\/a> after smoking weed. Back then, those commercials felt pretty dramatic. But the reality is that the cannabis products on the market today are exponentially stronger than the stuff we grew up hearing about.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tAverage THC levels in California cannabis flower, for example, now sit above 20%<\/a>. Some cannabis products (e.g., edibles<\/a>, oil, etc.) have more than 95%<\/a> THC.<\/p>\n \n\tEven with those sky-high potency levels, cannabis is still the most commonly used illicit drug<\/a> among teens in the U.S. Around 8% of eighth graders are currently using it, and by the time they reach their senior year, that number jumps to 26%.<\/p>\n \n\tOne of the most concerning details from the study is the timeline. Researchers found that, on average, the teens reported their cannabis use roughly 1.7 to 2.3 years prior to receiving an official psychiatric diagnosis. Since the study followed these kids for years, it gives us strong evidence that using cannabis during adolescence<\/a> can actively contribute to mental illness down the line.<\/p>\n \n\tThis doesn\u2019t just apply to kids who are smoking every single day. Researchers looked at any<\/em> self-reported cannabis use within the past year. Even after adjusting for other substance use and prior mental health<\/a> issues, the heightened risk for severe psychiatric disorders remained.<\/p>\n \n\tYou can\u2019t monitor your teens 24\/7, but you can change how you talk to them about this stuff. Dr. Lynn Silver, one of the study\u2019s co-authors, noted the importance of viewing teenage cannabis use as a major health concern instead of a harmless phase.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cThe evidence increasingly points to the need for an urgent public health response \u2014 one that reduces product potency, prioritizes prevention, limits youth exposure and marketing, and treats adolescent cannabis use as a serious health issue, not a benign behavior,\u201d she explained, per Science Daily<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tHave the awkward conversations. Give your teens the evidence-based facts about what high-potency THC does to a developing brain, and keep the lines of communication open.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"NASHVILLE,](\"https:\/\/www.sheknows.com\/wp-content\/themes\/vip\/pmc-sheknows-2020\/assets\/public\/lazyload-fallback.gif\")
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\n<\/section>\n<\/p>\n\n\t\tThis Isn\u2019t the Weed You Remember\u00a0\t<\/h2>\n
\n\t\tEffects Occur in as Little as Two Years\t<\/h2>\n
\n\t\tHow to Talk to Your Teen About Marijuana Use\t<\/h2>\n