Local use among youth
Five percent of 8th graders, 4% of 9th graders, and 8% of 11th graders used marijuana (non-medical) in the past month (2019 Minnesota Student Survey). Although many students choose not to use marijuana, one of our concerns is the belief that most students use. We are hopeful though that students will share many of their good reasons not to use and change the belief.Medical marijuana and CBD are available in Minnesota, other forms of marijuana are still illegal.
Why youth marijuana use is harmful
Marijuana (non-medical) is harmful to teen brains that continue to develop until age 25. The Center for Disease Control found that students who smoke marijuana may get lower grades and may more likely to drop out of high school than their peers who do not use. Additionally, marijuana use has been linked to a range of mental health problems in teens such as depression or anxiety.
