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Talking to your teens about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs can be difficult. But did you know that kids whose parents talk to them about drugs and alcohol use are 50% less likely to use substances? The Time to Talk Parent Blog provides facts, resources and other tools that can help you start the conversation and keep it going.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Effects of Marjiuana on My Teen

Short-Term Effects
Slower reflexes
Impairment of balance and coordination
Difficulty to recall and learn new information
Dulled Senses 
    Long-Term Effects of Heavy Users (during childhood years)
    Inability to do complex tasks 
    High risk of depression
    High risk of developing schizophrenia later in life 
    Greater risk of lung infections
    Heart Disease1,2

      Possible Consequences of Possession of Marijuana in Colorado (non-card holder) -
      • Interferes with or hinders ability to participate in athletics or extracurricular activities, with levels of consequences depending on your school districts’ athletic/activities policies.
      • At a maximum, any person (regardless of age) who openly and publicly displays, consumes, or uses two ounces or less of marijuana commits a class 2 petty offense and, upon conviction thereof, faces a fine of not more than one hundred dollars and (notwithstanding the provisions of section 18-1.3-503) faces fifteen days in the county jail.3 
      • Any person (regardless of age) who possesses more than two ounces of marijuana but no more than six ounces of marijuana commits a class 2 misdemeanor, and can face increased fines and jail time. - 1st time Juvenile (under 18) may be offered Diversion program, and case dismissed.3
      • In Routt County, Diversion is an accountability program that offers juvenile offenders from the ages of 10-17 an opportunity to learn from their mistakes, provide an alternative to appearing before the Court and avoid a juvenile criminal record. If deemed appropriate and accepted into the Diversion Program, the juvenile and parent(s) sign a diversion Contract that is generally 3 to 6 months in length. The Diversion Coordinator works with the juvenile and his/her family to create a Contract that will outline the appropriate conditions based on risk assessment, criminal history, DA recommendations and the severity of the charge(s). 

      1.Above the Influence, www.abovetheinfluence.com
      2.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No. 10-4036, Printed 1995, Revised November 1998, Reprinted April 2001, February 2007 Revised November 2002, September 2004, August 2007, March 2011
      3. Colorado Revised Statutes, 18-18-406: Offenses related to marijuana and marijuana concentrate, http://www.michie.com/colorado/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=main-h.htm&cp=