Marijuana Use - 15 Signs Parents Need to Watch For

Perhaps you should google NORML and get some of the facts straight on cannabis. Jumping to conclusions because your kid likes incense or having fresh breath is pointless... And if your teen is withdrawn or doesn't appear motivated, stop blaming a substance, perhaps you need to rethink about what you are doing as a parent? Plenty of adult cannabis consumers lead motivated and interesting lives, cannabis does not make you lazy or stupid as everyone would have you believe. If you are lazy to begin with though, it may not help.

It is very obvious that you need help. It is also clear that you are not a parent and should not pass judgement on others.

obviously you have never done marijuana or put any effort into researching it, its a herb not a drug, its not dangerous and not deadly, its a healthier alternative to cigarettes or alcohol. the generalizations and stereotypical bull in your article is ridiculous. i encourage you to actually look at the positives of cannabis and even give it a try (depending on your local laws) and tell me why its so evil.

At least someone reading this was actually normal enough to understand that this article is rediculous. If your really reading this to find out what your kids are really doing, then the problem you should be worried about is your relationship with your kids and your parenting abilities. I smoke pot, i have since i was 16. I went to a state university, graduated and now have what i and many others would consider a "high paying" career in finance. I read this article and laughed. If sometime in the future i end up with my own family and children, ill know what to look for if my kids smoking pot. Ill also know, what to say and how to act, and certainly wont need an article on a website to help me

You sound like you're doing alright. That's good for you, but not everyone is lucky enough to excel with a marijuana habit, in fact many more will suffer from terrible life choices they make while smoking, and later come to regret the years lost in a haze. Some smoke moderately others can't - it is the same with alcohol and many other drugs. Believe me, I know... so, if a parent is concerned that a son/ daughter may be smoking pot, then it is a justified concerned, and no laughing matter. The above tell-tale signs are standard indicators, and I fail to see how it relates to parenting. Surely, a parent that comes to this site researching the issue isn't too bad a parent to begin with, he/she wouldn't be hear otherwise...

I love your amazing spelling and grammar. You were obviously doing more than marijuana. I smoke I'm a teen. My grades are good, I don't do any other drugs. I have a good relationship with my dad and I don't lack motivation. I don't understand why everyone has to chastize cannabis while there are thousands of legal drugs I could easily get and overdose on.

I'm sorry, but articles like these piss me off so much. I'm a junior in high school, I'm 16, and I'm in many AP classes. I play tennis year round. I have a 2nd degree black belt. I have 2 jobs and I'm trying to find a 3rd one. I do not have a smoking problem. I smoke a few times a month on weekends in a safe environment. I get A's and B's. But because of articles like these that pretty much describe normal teens (aside from a couple signs like having drugs or a piece) my parents are paranoid and check up on me regularly without reason. If I leave facebook minimized they read my conversations and even start them while posing as me fishing for info. Also, they tear my room apart regularly. It is bullshit! But no, thank you. You are a credit to society and are helping out so many people...
Sincerely,
POed Future Dr.
P.S. ^you're right I have no motivation...

im 17, years ago i broke my back in a diving off a deck railing into a pile of leaves accident...luckily im still walking but i suffer from chronic back pain on and off and its becoming more frequent quickly. on top of that without taking any drugs the best ive been able to do since elementary school is about four hours of sleep a night and thats on a good night. so imagine my happyness when i discovered one drug that helps with both of those things, without the need for painkillers and sleeping pills. i smoke weed everyday. im not going to claim to still have a 4.0 because ive never had a 4.0, but my average grades havent dropped at all since i started smoking, i still hang out with all the same people, and i still do all the same things that i have always enjoying doing (freebording and snowboarding!) and i dont smoke recreationally, dont get me wrong i have, i just dont think its all that fun so i rarely do it, most people i know dont even know i smoke at all.

but recently my mom found my pipe and now i have to listen to all these talks and threats web sites like this one are telling her to do, thanks alot.

Marijuana is a healthier alternative to smoking cigarettes. Cigarettes contain many more chemicals than what is in marijuana. Its articles like these that only give you a one-sided view on things without viewing all the facts. I am an A/B student, and my grades have not gone down. in some cases they even seem to go up.

Your views here are appreciated. However, the health implications of Marijuana are not to be trivialized, and for every 3 users of Marijuana whose lives will remain unaffected by the drug there is 1 who will suffer great damages. Now, it is up to you if you want to roll that dice, my friend... but if I was your parent, I would like to know if in fact you are rolling that dice...

Has anyone mentioned, it's ilegal?

To begin with I am a believer. Therefore it boggles my mind that a God given resource is allowed to be categorized and placed as an illegal substance. Cannabis was placed on this earth before man. It is illegal yet partially legal in some states for its amazing and obvious medical properties. Someone above posted about googling "Norml" for facts. Yes indeed. This website is one that will actually connect you with direct sources and links for GOVERNMENTAL facts and truthfully....voids/omissions. Which ANY parent or married adult would agree that omissions are considered a lie. The "15 signs"....yeah most have Some credibility. I applaud any parent seeking help..you are there reading this! Most definately be worried. Cannabis is an amazing herb bearing flower given by God to be used and enjoyed with Thanksgiving but NOT for youngsters or Immature folk...ya know?! My wife and I are both very Pro-Life and Pro-Cannabis/HEMP, though again not for youth. Especially in males, BEFORE your brain is fully developed..SMOKING the herb will cloud/fog the frontal lobes in which case as adolescents progresses...they are more proned to making poor choices(TO CLARIFY, its not the herb itself that causes the damage, BUT instead the heated plant matter which is being inhaled and ONLY because the brain itself is undeveloped). PARENTS BEWARE: do not condemn Gods gifts (meaning both your kids and Cannabis) YOU my friends must ask yourself..."Honestly..how EASY and COMFORTABLE is my teen able to speak to me about every day challenges - at their level mind you! ???" Can they come to you and talk about anything without fearing of You flipping out on them over poor decisions? Its all about your relationship with them. And if your a believer in Christ...the relationship between the three of you. Bottom line it is illegal. It shouldnt be. And we as Americans should stand up and Reform our laws. IF ANYONE HAS QUESTIONS PLEASE ASK. WE ARE PARENTS OF 5 BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN AND ARE WORKING TO REFORM LAWS. We are being sent on a mission to inform the public. Granted our kids arent teens yet but I personally have been an avid user for almost 12 years. I am now 31. Believe me I put My parents through hell and back with all my teen craziness. I know what i did to hide the facts. But I also know that when my usage would have been considered a "bad" thing it was because of my surroundings, environment, lack of a strong bond with parents. CONFUSED? are we against or for it?? Well, again not for kids. HERE'S A THOUGHT: Why dont we as a nation legalize it. 1) its natural 2) if the government would like to get out of debt..lets regulate it. Same laws as tobacco. Though the operation should be given to a Good co, one that wont spray the plants with RADIO ACTIVE PESTICIDES, the way the government does with all the tobacco that is sold to its people.Hmmm.....people getting cancer? Thank you US for feeding radiation THEN fishing the people back for radiation treatment and either emptying their pocket books, or leaving them in aggressive health insurance debt. 3) Why dont we as a nation stop incarcerating petty possesion, and even Responsible users?? Instead of wasting taxpayers $, shouldnt we invest the $$, the time, the energy, and so forth on something worthy like Higher Education? Or how about health bennifits for all like they do in Europe? 4) WHY IN GODS NAME DO WE HAVE TO....take man made chemicals to relieve pains or rid us of all these "Conditions" we have? All the medications most people take will also come with a lovely average of about 8-24 different side effects. Hmmm.... who is creating addicts? 5) HEMP - HEMP - HEMP!!!! We as a nation have got to be a bunch of morons not to jump on this other God given band wagon!! Geez, my goodness people!! think about it...lets leave our good ol' boys here home in the states, leave Iraq the F alone, GROW - GROW - GROW! Bio-fuel people! Screw patroleum. Even ALL diesel egines can convert to vegetable oil. You call me a hippie!??!! Thank you. An intelligent one too. Why should we depend on them?? Do all you parents give Your kids supper every nite you can before feeding the neighbor 6 blocks down the street first? Shouldnt Americas parents (gov) do the same with its kids? Research the facts people....the truth Will set you free, even on this topic. As a Christian I URGE other believers to refrain from self medicating, or move to a legal state. God says to follow the laws placed above us. The law also forbids the mentioning of Christ in most public schools.....I say abide by the law but use your discernment on the subject. God made ALL things and they were good. Search your heart on a different matter: "why do i care so much about what others will think of me when they are aware that im AGAINST prohibition? They are not God their judgements are actually VOID. I URGE ALL OF YOU TO RESEARCH HIS TRUTH, THE FACTS, AND THEN DECIDE FOR YOURSELF WEATHER THIS HOLY HERB IS INDEED EVIL. ......Why on earth does the Government and the Big Pharmas keep facts from us? ANSWER: $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ They sure would hate the feeling of losing power/controlover their "return customers" when it comes to all these FREAKIN PILLS AND RADIATION TREATMENTS!!!!

Simply amazing! I checked out the websites suggested: norml. They Do have All the resources with attached facts! I cannot believe Everyone has been decieved for years. Why on earth would the Government keep the truth hidden? I think your right....$$$$$ and all the pharmaceutical companies. We are currently working harder to strengthen our relationship with our two teenagers. We Dont condone the use of cannabis among youth, but now that we have actual FACTS from the Government (all one has to do is alittle digging and research)...our views have indeed changed on RESPONSIBLE ADULT USE though. Thank you.

To the past 2 posters: define responsible drug use, please - or are you referring to the medical application of marijuana alone, in which case this page here isn't the right forum for it!

Now, im not sure about the parent who responded to my first post...but you may right....this may very well not be the correct forum for close minded folk. I can definately say one thing: RESPONSIBLE DRUG USE is definately NOT being prevented by Big Pharma NOR these "responsible" doctors who are the ones pushing "addiction"...pushing "drug use". There are significantly lower addictive properties is cannabis(you would be "kicking" off this "drug" habbitually), YET almost all prescribed meds do. What boggles my mind are those of you who ALL OF SUDDEN SEE MARIJUANNA AS "OK" ONCE THE TERM "MEDICINAL" IS PLACED BEFORE IT. People who think in that manner are ignorant and have something lacking in their lives...due to the obvious inconsistancy of their thought process. Once again......MARIJUANNA IS NOT FOR YOUTH WHAT SO EVER! BUT PLEASE FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR CHILDREN - DONT CONDEMN THEM TO HELL OR STEREO TYPE THEM FOR USING MARIJUANNA. THIS PLANT IS OBVIOUSLY MAKING THEM FEEL ALOT BETTER THEN THEIR PARENTS! For those of you coming to this website for help..........job well done. Continue to strive to be better parents for sure..thats awesome of you! And if,and only IF your youngster happens to continue use in their latter years....go over my first post. RESEARCH the truth. Ronald Regan once told the youth of America....our "crutch" was a martini...but WHY dont you all be a generation that doesnt need a crutch?!" Amen to that one ol' man! Fact of the matter, unfortunately for some....there will always be a crutch. Kind of like alcohol and oh how legal it is! Im sure most parents at least half who read this site....DRINK. CIGARRETTES are what we need to watch out for! THEY are responsible for killing more youth, teens, and adults MORE than murder, rape, car accidents, AIDS, BLACK TAR HEROIN, COCAINE and MUCH more....COMBINED! I will be checking on this website periodically, this will be my last post for a while though in perspective to "it being the right forum" PARENTS: find out WHY...your child has turned to a substance rather thatn YOU, GOD, or gosh....ANY OTHER positive outlet. Dont blame the "drug"......blame the "dealer"..blame "prohibition", blame yourself for not knowing your teen. I know its not easy but DONT STOP TRYING! Growing up ALL i wanted was to be able to talk to my parents without the fear of rejection or immediate dissapointment. I can guarantee you I would not have had to go through all the crap i did or put my parents through hell if WE had a good relationship. Lessen up on all the restrictions and educate more! One of the HUGE things to remember is.....be Kind to them, even if you dont agree with their immature descision making. They may be lost...and if ya really want to shoot the arrow(your kid)dont Force them to rebel agaisnt YOUR teachings.....when you yourselves ARE NOT TEACHABLE. -THEY ARE WATCHING US CONSTANTLY, DONT BE A HYPOCRAT, IF YOU CHOSE NOT TO LISTEN & UNDERSTAND THEM....WHY SHOULD THEY YOU?- Good luck & many blessings!
************************************************************************
TO ALL THE KIDS READING THIS SITE: Your parents DO want the best for you....4real. If they didnt care...why would they WASTE their TIME trying to get through to you? When you guys are adults, as your parents are..you too will realize how precious TIME really is! And thats one thing that totally sux about cannabis...if you are not in your right mind (as MOST of us are NOT) at that age....you WILL waste your time, energy, effort, money,TRUST & stability if you keep screwing around with it! Make something of yourseslves PLEASE! Maybe YOU all can grow up to make a huge impact on society and the laws of this beautiful country. Refrain from use, stand up for it and all positive things, by refraining you will make a BIGGER statement to those whos eyes need to be opened to the truth. Do yourselves a favor and simply WAIT untill it is legal...though it IS funny how parents and the brain washed public eye will get off your freakin' back once the Gov' says its ok to use. STAY AWAY FROM DRUGS! STAY AWAY FROM THE BIG PHARMAS! ALWAYS TRY TO GO THE HEALTHIER ROUTE...THE NATURAL PATH. FOLLOW YOUR HEART AND RESPECT YOUR PARENTS! REMEMBER...MOST OF YA AINT SH*T WITHOUT THEM! REMEMBER THIS TOO...YEARS DOWN THE ROAD, AND HOPEFULLY SOONER THAN LATER...YOU WILL REALIZE WHAT ALL YOU DO HAVE.....IS FAMILY. YOU WILL MOST LIKELY LOSE ALL CONTACT WITH YOUR MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS AND REALIZE THAT THE ONES WHO SMOKE WITH YOU ARE ONLY AROUND WHEN ONE OF YOU HAVE IT. THATS NOT FRIENDSHIP AT ALL. ON THE OTHER HAND YOU ARE -ONLY- A NUMBER (#)TO THE GOVERNMENT.....STICK BY YOUR FAMILY, DO GOOD IN SCHOOL, AND SAY "NO" TO THE REAL DRUGS THAT ARE SO UNFORTUNATELY REDILLY AVAILABLE TO US ALL....THEY WILL KILL. -PEACE OUT!