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SALT LAKE CITY — The effects that marijuana can have on the developing brain are fairly cut and dried, but what's less clear is how parents should navigate discussions with their kids when it comes to marijuana use.
On that note, the Utah County Health Department has partnered with Bonneville Communications to create the "Gray Matters" campaign to educate parents about the importance of talking with and educating their children about underage marijuana use.
"We know that our junior high and high school students — there is a real prevalence of marijuana misuse happening in our schools, especially through vaping," said Heather Lewis, substance use prevention coordinator for the Utah County Health Department.
Lewis said of those students who vape, around two-thirds vape nicotine and a third vape marijuana.
She added that the Grey Matters website offers useful tools and tips to help parents start a dialogue with their kids about the dangers marijuana can have on youths without lecturing them.
"Lectures don't work. We know that. So talking, opening the dialogue and having that safe space is really what we want to encourage," Lewis said.
Corey Fairholm, Utah PTA president, said in 2018 Utah PTA members voted on and approved a resolution that "empowers" the Utah PTA advocacy team to actively engage with legislators on bills related to marijuana use among students. This has led to community programs at the local and state levels to educate parents and children about the consequences of marijuana use.
Additionally, Fairholm said the Utah PTA supports legislative action that leads to or increases criminal penalties for any individuals or organizations that distribute marijuana to minors.
"Use of marijuana may reduce educational achievement, reduce coordination, cause issues with problem-solving and affect school and social life of the students," Fairholm said, calling on parents, communities and policymakers to unite in the goal of protecting the health of youths in Utah.
When it comes to the impacts marijuana use can have on youths, the list is extensive and it can quite literally change someone's brain. It can include things such as disrupting coordination and negatively impacting motivation and attention spans.
"Some studies show that heavy marijuana use can actually decrease children's IQ," said Dr. Stanley Brewer, a specialist in pediatric psychiatry with Intermountain Healthcare and University of Utah Health. "There's not very many things that can change your IQ."
He added that early and heavy use can increase the aforementioned health and behavioral risks. Brewer said not only can marijuana use impact the developing brain, it can also hurt emotional health — affecting depression, worsening anxiety and in some cases, leading to psychosis.
All of this is why it's important parents talk to their kids about the risks and effects of marijuana.
"As parents, the best way to talk to our youth about difficult topics is to start early. And we know that the younger we build those relationships with our kids, the better that we are able to handle those difficult topics. Building an open and trusting relationship early on is really important," Brewer said, adding that he encourages parents to start discussing drug use with their children in the tween years.
It's also crucial to ask difficult questions and be comfortable discussing difficult topics like underage marijuana use.
"It's very important to think about substance use, especially marijuana use, with our youth and to talk to them about it. Talk to them about the risks and to help and support them through difficult things in their lives," Brewer said.
