Marijuana use between the ages of 15 and 25 can have a negative effect on a young developing brain.
That from Dr. Tunde Apantaku, an adolescent & young adult psychiatrist.
Apantaku says the brain undergoes one of its most critical developments stages during that time frame.
He says not every young person who uses marijuana will develop a dependency or abuse, but if there is a history of that in the family their vulnerability is higher.
Dr. Apantaku spoke about marijuana use to parents of students at St. Malachy’s, Simonds and Saint John High Schools.
He says one of the biggest dangers surrounding marijuana use is impaired driving because multi-tasking and responsive reflexes are diminished when you are high.
Apantaku says parents need to have an open minded and non-judgemental conversation about drug use with their children.
Roughly 32 percent of Saint John students between middle school and grade twelve have admitted to using marijuana within the last year.
On average, kids try marijuana for the first time between the age of 12 and 13.
