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The Cost of Getting High Young

Teen marijuana use causes lasting brain damage, IQ loss, and mental health risks. Here is what the science actually says for parents and educators.

By Devario Johnson Madison Ave Magazine  · Lifestyle 10 min read
Marijuana Use In Teens | Madison Ave Magazine

Most parents think they know where their teenager stands on marijuana use. Many are wrong. Today, marijuana is more available to teens than it has ever been. Legalization has spread across dozens of states. Prices have dropped. Social stigma has faded. And the products on the market are far more potent than what previous generations encountered.

The science, though, has not softened along with public opinion. Researchers are finding that marijuana use during the teen years carries real risks. Some of those risks are long-lasting. A few may be permanent. The adolescent brain is still developing well into a person’s mid-twenties. That makes it especially sensitive to outside chemicals, including THC.

DEVARIO JOHNSON

Devario Johnson is the founder and creative lead of Madison Avenue Magazine and Derek Madison Media, where he shapes culture through editorial storytelling, original photography, and platform design. As a fashion editor, media entrepreneur, and senior technology leader, he blends style, innovation, and narrative across every venture. As a former world-class athlete, he brings the same discipline and vision to all his creative pursuits.