Marijuana use in the United States is escalating, drawing comparisons to alcohol or even surpassing it in terms of impact. Around 70 million people use cannabis every year, and many children are exposed to the smoke at home. A University of California San Diego study indicates that about 6 million children live with a parent who frequently consumes cannabis.
Children residing with parents who regularly use marijuana are twice as likely to use it themselves, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Over the past two decades, cannabis use among adults has more than doubled, now exceeding 8%, per the National Center for Biotechnology Information.
The addictive nature of cannabis and rising THC levels increase its dangers. Edibles may contain up to 10 mg of THC per serving, while concentrates and vape cartridges can consist of 50% to 95% THC. The THC content in buds and flowers, used in various cannabis products, has increased to 15-25%, compared to just 1-2% decades ago.
Children are significantly impacted, even before birth. Prenatal exposure to cannabis nearly doubles the risk of premature birth and increases the likelihood of low birth weight or the need for Neonatal ICU care. Despite these risks, over 5% of pregnant women have used marijuana recently, and this number continues to climb.
Research indicates that children exposed to marijuana in utero face a 2.5-times higher risk of using THC products during early adolescence. A Harvard study links a mother’s cannabis use during a child’s first 12 years to the child using marijuana by 16.
Frequent marijuana use affects parenting by increasing emotional instability, car accidents, poor parenting decisions, and mental health issues. Parents using cannabis regularly might experience mood swings and impaired judgment. This anxiety can also transfer to their children.
Addressing these challenges involves learning from strategies used to manage alcohol addiction. Historical measures applied to alcohol can guide parents in addressing cannabis addiction in themselves and their households.
My book, “The Angels Among Us,” tells the story of Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, and his path to help others find sobriety. His approach emphasizes shared experiences, which can be adapted for cannabis addiction. Despite alcohol being consumed by twice as many Americans as cannabis, daily usage of cannabis surpasses alcohol.