Imagine discovering that the “innocent” cartoon emoji pinging on your teen’s phone is not harmless fun, but instead a secret drug deal? To help you recognize dangerous dealings, I interviewed a recovering addict whose parents had no idea what he was up to until it was too late. With our Screen Safety Toolkit, you can get a head start with screen safety and prevention. The Screen Safety Toolkit is a resource guide that includes our best recommendations, how-to information, and easy links to our favorite easy-to-onboard parental control systems. Today’s GKIS article shares the true story of a young addict’s emoji workarounds, how to spot dangerous online dealings, and offers great tips to maintain your children’s safety when interacting online.
What are emojis?
Emojis are small digital icons that are readily available on screen devices. Emojis range from facial expressions to common objects, places, animals, and more. According to a report from the emotional marketing platform Emogi, about 92% of online users use emojis.[1,2]
The Pros and Cons of Emoji use
Pros
Emojis add fun and excitement to conversations and social media posts- help convey emotions in online chats. They are particularly helpful because of the lack of nonverbal cues online, such as body language or facial expressions. For example, testing “sure.” suggests annoyance, while “sure 😊” suggests happy agreement.[3]
Cons
Although emojis were originally intended to represent simple concepts, teenagers also use these symbols for encrypted messages about drugs and other illicit activities. Encrypted emoji messages enable life-threatening drugs to reach communities faster, easier, and cheaper.
At a glance, a conversation on your child’s phone may appear to be about being at the gas station but instead is about buying marijuana laced with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 80-100 times stronger than morphine.[4,5,7,8]
How to Tell if Emojis are Indicative of Illicit Drug Use
According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the use of emojis alone should not be indicative of illegal activity. Concerns should be raised if the use of emojis is simultaneously accompanied by changes in behavior or appearance or a significant loss or increase in income. The DEA has even published drug decoding sheets for the public’s awareness.[4,6]
A Young Addicts Story
To better understand the workarounds of encrypted messaging, I interviewed a recovering addict. He reported that when he first started his drug use, he would use specific social media platforms to help keep his drug addiction a secret from family and friends.
Here are the tips he revealed:
Snapchat
The DEA reports that Snapchat is the number one social media platform for online drug activity, and my contact confirms that he and his dealers used it too. He explained that Snapchat is an application where people can keep conversations hidden. Snapchat has specific settings that allow users to quickly view pictures, videos, or messages that will disappear after viewing.
Privacy settings on Snapchat also allow users to ensure that only specific people can view what they refer to as “stories.” The young addict remembers his drug dealers adding him as a friend on Snapchat. From there he would track emoji-coded advertisements on their “stories” that revealed which drugs were available for sale.[6]
Venmo
Venmo was another platform that was used by the young addict. Venmo is an application that allows money transfers between users. LendEDU revealed that nearly 1/3 of their survey participants admitted to using this app to pay for drugs.
My interviewee admitted that this was not initially the way he paid for his drug transactions. Instead, before gaining the trust of his drug dealers, they’d come to his home to drop off the drugs and receive payment in only cash after sending an emoji encrypted text that they were outside. His mother reports being very scared to find out that her son’s drug dealers knew where their family lived, which made her reluctant to report the drug dealer to law enforcement officials despite figuring out his identity.[9]
Encoded Texts
The mother I interviewed confirmed that encrypted text messages are a useful way to suppress adult suspicion. She explained that, if it were not for other indicative factors like his drastic weight loss, mood swings, and incomes loss she would have never expected phrases such as, “Do you have kitty cat?” to be an encrypted message referring to the drug ketamine. She remembers seeing other emoji codes and “cute names” for drugs, but not giving them much attention initially. She said she was overwhelmed trying to research on how to stop dangerous online conversations and seek the help he needed.
If you worry things are getting by you, let go of the guilt and let us do the research for you! Researching digital safety tools is overwhelming! But lucky for you, we’ve made it easy. Our GKIS Screen Safety Toolkit is a resource guide perfect for those that need smart tech tools for filtering, monitoring, and management plus some time to find workarounds.
Dr. Bennett recognizes that it’s no longer possible to live a screen-free lifestyle or monitor 100% of the time. And it can be terrifying to know that kids can become victims of online predators and drug dealers. Our family-tested and outcome-based course helps you close screen risk gaps and improve family cooperation and closeness. Check it out to minimize risks and have easier dialogues for better parent-child relationships.
Teen curiosity online can be dangerous and teens don’t always make sound decisions due to lack of experience and poor impulse control. Our GKIS Social Media Readiness Course allows teens an opportunity to start taking accountability for their actions online and become proactive instead of reactive.
The story of the young addict demonstrates how parents can easily miss indications of digital injury and serious problems. Teenagers are becoming more innovative on how to keep their parents in the dark, such as emoji encrypted messages. With our GKIS Online Safety Red Flags For Parents, parents will learn what behavioral red flags they should be on the lookout for that may signal that a child is suffering from a digital injury.
Thanks to CSUCI intern Ashley Salazar for researching and co-authoring this article. If you suspect your loved one is struggling with substance abuse, please reach out for help. Contact your health insurance carrier or call SAMHSA’s National helpline for more resources and advice.
I’m the mom psychologist who will help you GetKidsInternetSafe.
Remember your first pregnancy? Dreams of yummy baby smells, cozy snuggles, and planning that moment of introduction when you could count ten grasping fingers and ten wiggly toes? I even fantasized that my baby would have daddy’s eyes or my thick hair. Now imagine if you could make some of those fantasies happen on order, like a build-your-own baby with flawless looks and increased strength and intelligence? Perhaps you wouldn’t go THAT far, knowing that nature’s quirky combinations make up the charm of who we are. But what if, while worrying about all the challenges of conception, pregnancy, and delivery, somebody told you that you could delete the risk of pain, crippling, or fatal disease from your child’s young life. Would you do that? Introducing the new gene modification tool CRISPR, which could make designer babies a reality.
What is CRISPR?
Like a word document, CRISPR technology allows scientists to go into the human genome, cut out specialized stretches of DNA (CRISPRs), and paste new DNA in its place. Throughout this CRISPR region of DNA are repeated sequences of nucleotides (the building blocks of DNA), that are separated by spacer bits of DNA.
In March 2007, researchers discovered that a bacterium (Streptococcus thermophilus) would develop new spacersin the CRIPSR regionafter a virus attack. The new spacers were found to be identical to the DNA of the virus. In other words, the bacteria created a copy of the viruses’ DNA which would be used to prevent future attacks, similar to an immune response.[1]
Associated with CRISPR DNA is the protein Cas9. Cas9is an enzyme that acts like a pair of molecular scissors, capable of cutting strands of DNA.
When the virus attacks again, the saved RNA(which is the DNA copy) is sent out and locates the matching sequence of DNA on the virus. The Cas9 protein follows, and, when the location is found, it cuts the DNA thus destroying the virus. At a microscopic level, our bodies fight viruses with a miraculous technique of cut and paste!
In 2011, researchers discovered a CRISPR-Cas9 system in another bacterium (Streptococcus pyogenes). Scientists altered this bacterium, creating a simple system consisting of two parts – the guide RNA (or CRISPR guide) and the Cas9 protein. The CRISPR guide contains the coordinates where the gene editing takes place, and Cas9 follows to cut the DNA.[2]With this new technology, scientists can intervene in a similar way that nature does but with even more planning and deliberate alteration.
Uses of CRISPR
The potential uses of CRISPR are far reaching. Below is a list of ways CRISPR has already been used.
Remove Malaria from Mosquitos– In mosquitos, a targeted gene called FREP1 was found to keep malaria parasites alive. By cutting the gene out, the likelihood of the malaria parasite surviving was reduced.[3]
Treating Cancer – New treatment looks to delete two genes to help cancer patients. The first gene creates a molecule that cancer cells use to slow the immune system. The second gene looks to edit the receptor of immune cells to help steer them toward tumors.[4]
Human Organs from Pigs – Pigs have organs similar in size to humans; however, pig organs are rejected by the human body due to viruses in the pig. By editing the genes of pig embryos and removing the viruses, a company has created 37 pigs that are healthy and virus free.[5][6]
Revolutionizing the Drug Industry – CRISPR is making it easier for drug researchers to identify the genes and proteins that cause or prevent disease. It also allows them to create models that precisely mimic diseases.[7]
Super Plants – By editing the genes in rice, biologists can reduce its susceptibility to bacterial blight that greatly affect rice supplies in Asia and Africa.[8]
Changing the Human Species
In 2016, Chinese scientists were the first to use CRISPR gene editing on a human. The scientists knocked out a gene eliminating a molecule cancer cells use to slow the immune system in lung cancer patients. Since this initial procedure, China has continued to perform CRISPR gene editing on a reported 86 more patients.[9]
The gene editing performed on these patients created Somatic Mutations,which are mutations to the cells of the internal organs, skin, bones, blood, and connective tissues. Somatic mutations will not pass onto offspring. Germline mutations, in contrast,are mutations that affect every cell in an organism and are passed on to offspring. The gene editing for germline mutations are done in a human egg right after fertilization has occurred. In 2017, U.S. scientists changed the DNA of multiple embryos and demonstrated that it was possible to safely and efficiently correct defective genes that cause inherited diseases.[10]
What will it cost?
There currently are ways to create your very own designer baby. The two most frequently used procedures are PGD (Preimplantation genetic diagnosis) and IVF (In Vitro Fertilization). PGD is a technique where scientists check the cells of an embryo for diseases prior to placing it in the uterus. The cost for this procedure runs $800 to freeze the eggs and $3500 to perform the tests. IVF checks the chromosomes of the embryo and can determine its sex, allowing parents to choose the sex of their child. The cost for this procedure can run as high as $25,000 per screening.[11]
A New Species
Children born with germline mutations will be the first generation of gene edited humans and will forever change the gene pool. How will society view them? Will they be something better than us? Or will we see designer children as Frankenstein-type monsters born of science. Could laws be put in place that make certain gene edits mandatory for your child? Could we see a world where we look down on those who don’t gene edit their children?
Pros and Cons of Using Gene Editing
Here is a quick list that showcases pros and cons of using CRISPR technology.
Pros:
Removal of diseases
Increased and healthier lifespans
Removal of birth defects
Increased knowledge of genetics
Prevention of next generation having a disease or defect
Keep pace with the technology of other nations
Cons:
Technology is new not yet perfected
The child has no choice in the matter
Lose individuality
Damage to the gene pool
Only wealthy can afford it
Large gaps in society
Without funding and support, the world’s scientists could lose out to third-party innovators free of regulation and oversight. For that reason, we at GKIS support scientific progress with an eye to maintaining our spirituality, morality, and humanity. I hope today’s article offers a topic to challenge your family and friends to complex, compassionate thinking around a screen-free dinner. Problem solving must be supported and mentored by loving, encouraging parents, just as you are. I applaud you for being that parent.
As an academic mentor, one of the true joys is watching CSUCI/GKIS interns evolve as researchers, writers, and collaborators while having fun in the process. CSUCI graduate, Dylan Smithson, has been with GKIS through several semesters now. He has not only evolved tremendously as a writer, but he is also a leader in our team who makes collaboration fun and productive. I think you’ll agree that his well-researched and -written and articles offer a comprehensive translation into cutting-edge, important topics. To read more of Dylan’s work, check out his first article “Is Your Child a Professional Gamer?”or search “Dylan” in the search window of our GKIS blog page.
I’m the mom psychologist who will help you GetKidsInternetSafe.
[1]Barrangou, R., Fremaux, C., Deveau, H., Richards, M., Boyaval, P., Moineau, S., Romero, D.A., and Horvath, P. (2007). CRISPR provides acquired resistance against viruses in prokaryotes. Science 315, 1709–1712.
[2]Sapranauskas, R., Gasiunas, G., Fremaux, C., Barrangou, R., Horvath, P., and Siksnys, V. (2011). The Streptococcus thermophilus CRISPR/Cas system provides immunity in Escherichia coli. Nucl. Acids Res. 39, gkr606–gkr9282.
[9]Kristen Brown (2018) China Has Already Gene-Edited 86 People With CRISPR https://gizmodo.com/china-has-already-gene-edited-86-people-with-crispr-1822297524
[11]Carlin Flora (2018) IVF and Gender Selection: What You Need to Know (https://www.parents.com/getting-pregnant/gender/selection/ivf-and-gender-selection-what-you-need-to-know/
You’re having dinner with friends and realize you forgot your wallet. No longer do your friends have to cover wondering if you’re good for the money. With the free money-sharing app, Venmo (send money make purchases), you can send a digital transaction more simple than sending an email. Viola! Your friend has your money in their bank with a digital receipt of payment. Crisis averted. You feel safe, because Venmo promises your personal and financial information is kept private with encryption. But is Venmo safe enough for teens to use? Today’s GKIS Sensible Guide answers parent questions.
What is Venmo?
Venmo is a free money-sharing application. Users can immediately transfer money from either their Venmo account, bank account, or debit card. Users can connect with other Venmo users by using the search function. With Venmo, you can pay for items automatically or transfer money between friends without an additional charge. Instead of cash, teenagers can be found saying, “I’ll Venmo you.”
Venmo was created by two college students in 2009, in the hopes to create a better way of paying each other back. It started as a text message transferring system; which, has revolutionized to a new type of social network. According to Fast Company, it is estimated that there are about 7 million active users every month. The also reported that last year the app transferred almost a total of $18 Million dollars between users.
What are Venmo’s popular features?
Venmo is super popular as a convenient, quick and easy way to wire somebody money. You can request for somebody else to send you money or you can easily pay somebody back. Your account will use the money you have received in Venmo or link to your bank account or debit card quickly. Venmo does have the option to connect to Facebook but it will only take your contact list.
How to use Venmo?
You’re on the Venmo app and you press the three lines on the left hand side. You’re brought to your account options but what do all of these tabs mean?
Home: This is where you can see your friend’s interactions with the app. When on the home tab there is three buttons at the top.
One is an emoji of a world, which will bring you to a list of anyone in the world’s latest interaction with Venmo.
The second option shows two heads, this is where you can see the money you’re friends have been transferring between each other. On this section, it used to show how much people were sending but for security reasons it now just shows that you transferred but with no money total.
The last button is a picture of single–headed emoji. This shows all of your past transactions and also when you took out money from your bank and when you deposited money back into your bank.
Search People: This is where you can search through your friends for the appropriate person you want to send or receive money from. You have the option to connect to your Facebook so it can inherit your contact list.
Scan Code: Your coworker brings you coffee and asks you to pay them back. You don’t have cash and you’re not friends on Venmo. Instead of searching their name, this tool gives you the option to scan the user’s unique barcode. Both of you have to have the application open at the same time for this to work.
Invite Friends: Your friend isn’t on Venmo? You can input their name, phone number, or email to invite them to join the app.
Transfer Balance: This is where you go when someone has sent you the money but now you need to get it into your bank. It has the option to transfer the money to your previously entered account or to enter a new bank account.
This is also where you will see Venmo’s new interaction to instantly transfer money to your Bank in seconds. This new feature does cost $.25. The standard option (free) is still available but this option takes one to three business days to transfer to your bank account.
Purchases: You can now use Venmo to pay in other apps and on the mobile web with select PayPal merchants.
Venmo does put in their FAQ webpage that if a person purchases a good or service on the internet using Venmo, they will not offer protection. The transactions are potentially high risk and you may lose funds.
Notifications: This is where it will show if you have any pending requests for money or if anyone is requesting money from you.
Incomplete: This will show outstanding requests or payments. There will not disappear until the other user pays your or you pay them.
Get Hep: This brings you to three options and those being “Browse Ours FAQs”, “Contact Us”, or “My Support Tickets” (for any IT help).
How to make a payment or request a payment?
Click on the button in the top right hand corner to pull up your contact page.
Select the friend you want to send money to or request money from. You can also type in the name.
Type the amount for payment.
Add a comment about what the payment is for using words, emojis, or a combination of both (Venmo will not let you skip this step).
Select pay or request money. If you pay, the money is transferred to their account. If you request, your friend receives an email or text and an app notification saying that you requested money.
What are the privacy options?
When you make a payment or receive money from someone it automatically gets added to a live feed. This feed is where you can see your friends and families latest transactions. It will not show the amount transferred but it will show the reason (you can leave the reason blank). It’s common for people to not use words in their description but instead emoji’s.
In the Settings menu you can change your audience options to include public (everyone on the Internet), friends (sender, recipient, and their friends), and participants only (sender and recipient only). There is the option to change past transactions viewers as well and make everything completely private.
It also asks where you want your contacts to come from. You can get contacts imported from your Facebook contacts or your phone contacts or both. You have the option to turn both options off and only have friends you add by hand.
What are the risks for use?
A new trend is for sites like Craigslist, Instagram, or Facebook to ask people to buy goods and services and to pay with their Venmo accounts. The company highly discourages this type of transaction but it happens daily. Buying a pair of leggings off an Instagram promoter seems innocent enough, but the real problem is now it’s even easier to buy illegal substances.
Rachael Ferguson did a research project in which she used an application called Whisper, a messaging app that allows users to send and receive messages anonymously, and she had two drug dealers agree to talk to her about their social media influence on the drug market. They explained how easy it is to find drugs on apps like Instagram or Twitter, just buy searching up relevant hashtags. An example of those would be #Kush4Sale or #OGKUSH. If you comment on these posts it’s more likely you’ll caught, so there in underground etiquette of messaging the hastagger privately (Ferguson.)
Besides using social media to buy drugs, there are plenty of other goods and services that can be bought through these apps and that are requesting a payment using Venmo. One man was selling a car on Craigslist, the purchaser claimed he could only pay if he used Venmo. The car dealer watched the other person transfer money and he saw the money come into his bank account. Happily, he signed the car over to the purchaser. 12 hours later, the dealer of the car received an email from Venmo saying the payment had been stopped (Chatman.)
What to watch out for on Venmo.
Users can remain secretive about the actual reason for money transfer. Unless you set your page to private, the public can see your transactions and reason for sending. In the privacy section of a Venmo account, there is the option to set all past transactions to private.
When I asked my friends why they or their other friends are using Venmo, they majority reported that they used it for paying rent, bills, dinner, coffee, drugs and when they were underage they can transfer money to someone 21+ to buy alcohol. This is where the emoji’s come in handy when putting in a description for your money transfer.
Emoji’s and what they mean on Venmo:
Wine/Beer/Cocktail: Alcohol/ booze
Dancing/Celebrate: Party/bar
House: Rent or bills
Car: Uber
Leaf: Marijuana
Needle: Drugs
And there numerous food emoji’s used to indicate that they are paying the person back for food. Fun fact: the pizza emoji is the most popular emoji in Venmo transaction messages (Wener-Fligner.)
What are the protection features?
Venmo’s security page outlines how it will protect you financial information, your account, storage and how it will keep you safe in the long run.
Venmo is an easy app to use, but when the user is a child or a teen, parents should consider discussing with them the risks and how to stay safe. Some things to think about:
Decide if it is the right time for your child to have their own personal bank account or if they are responsible enough to have a Venmo account connected to your bank account.
Discuss with the child when it’s appropriate to send money and when it is not. Set limits and don’t let them send or receive money from strangers.
Consider monitoring their transactions. One way to do this is by making a contract demonstrating their Venmo rules and regulations. Establish an agreement that you can have access to their account anytime.
Create a list of the people they are allowed to transfer money to. If they want to add a new person, they must let you know first. You have the right to remove any person at anytime.
When using a money sharing app, the child should be prepared to be honest and responsible. As parents, instead of banning certain apps all together, make sure your children know what your rules are! Keep a copy of their username and password so you can easily monitor their account. Also, remember this application is not only for your kids! Venmo is super helpful in limiting your cash interactions and providing a safe way to share money with your friends and family.
Thanks GKIS Intern, Wendy Goolsby for keeping us up to date on the latest virtual wallet. Make sure to keep an eye out if your child is attaching credit cards to any sorts of applications. In other teen news, check out the article, Is Your Teen Hooking Up? for ideas about how to support your kids in today’s casual sex environment.
Is your child smoking pot? I hope not, but parents are the last to know. Within the last five years, kids are smoking pot sooner and at higher rates. As marijuana becomes increasingly available (and legal), kids perceive the drug to be less risky. With the increasing potency of this addictive drug, marijuana poses a significant risk to the developing brain. Educate your kids now before they try their first pot brownie. That means a heart-to-heart talk with the facts BEFORE middle school!
Marijuana use is UP and smokers are starting younger.
Just as I’m hearing in my suburban psychology practice, five-year trends reflect increasing marijuana use among tenth through twelfth graders, with kids starting to smoke at younger ages than ever before. We haven’t reached the peak use rates of the 1970s, but we may be getting there.
However, there is hope! Teaching kids the facts may hold off experimentation. For instance, when popular media covered the adverse effects of synthetic marijuana (spice, K2, or wax), use rates went down. Educating your kids about the easily available marijuana their friends are smoking optimizes the chance they’ll use good judgment. Here are the facts parents need to know!
Today’s pot is far more potent than pot from the 1970s-1980s.
The average marijuana today contains 20-30% THC versus 1980’s pot which averaged 4% THC. That means that old research conclusions barely apply to today’s pot. Furthermore, as THC potency increases the number of cannabinoids decrease. Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds in marijuana that is responsible for proposed medical benefits.
Marijuana is physiologically and psychologically addicting.
Cannabinoids increase dopamine in the pleasure center of the brain. This is the same process that underlies the reinforcing effects of ALL addictive drugs. Because there is a high concentration of cannabinoid brain receptors in many different areas of the brain, marijuana has many effects on the user. This is why marijuana is in a drug class of its own with effects that qualify it as a hallucinogenic, sedative, or analgesic.
Similar to all drugs of abuse, there is clear and consistent evidence of tolerance, withdrawal, and craving resulting from marijuana use. For the benefit of three hours of a high, you have the cost of up to fourteen days of withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms include irritability, stomach pain, anxiety, loss of appetite, and insomnia.
Starting young and smoking often makes you dumber.
Chronic marijuana smokers younger than 18 years old demonstrate an average IQ decline of eight points and other signs of impaired mental functioning by age 38 years.
Marijuana has legitimate applications for some medical conditions.
The marijuana effects of increased hunger and happiness have been found to be helpful for the nausea, anorexia, and wasting experienced by people with HIV (Bedi et al. 2005; Haney et al. 2007; Lutge et. al. 2013) and chronic neuropathic pain related to HIV, multiple sclerosis, and peripheral neuropathy (Lynch et al. 2011; Ware et al 2010). However, marijuana is rarely recommended as first-line treatment due to side effects. Most studies evaluate the oral forms of marijuana rather than smokable forms.
Marijuana obscures psychiatric presentation and generally makes mental illnesses worse rather than better.
Anxiety Disorders: Self-medicating with pot leads to cyclic withdrawal and heightened anxiety that is harder to treat with traditional therapies. Marijuana lowers GABA, natures calming neurotransmitter.
Mood Disorders & ADHD: Marijuana dysregulates serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, the neurotransmitters related to mood and attention disorders. In other words, pot makes mood and ADHD symptoms worse.
Schizophrenia: Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and a lack of initiative. It is typically incurable and progressive, often seen among our homeless population.
Here is the most disturbing research outcome I have read in my twenty-year career. The use of marijuana increases the chances of developing schizophrenia by 600% for heavy smokers, 400% for regular smokers, and 200% for any smoking (Andréasson et al. 1987; Stefanis et al. 2013)! This does not mean marijuana causes schizophrenia, but it certainly increases the chances that it will occur. I caution my patients often, why take that kind of risk with your life and brain health just to get high?
You can’t be sure all you’re smoking is marijuana.
Marijuana is often laced with more addictive drugs like cocaine, heroin, or PCP to keep buyers buying. Although adulteration if far less of a risk for marijuana than other drugs, the heavier the drug the higher its price. As a result, adulterants like lead, silicone, Mountain dew, and Windex have been commonly discovered in pot samples. Marijuana is also often treated with pesticides to optimize profitable quantities. So much for organic.
Chronic marijuana use is particularly harmful to the developing brain, because it decreases Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF).
BDNF is a chemical that regulates the birth, survival, and repair of the cells that make up the brain. BDNF is responsible for what scientists call neuroplasticity, the adaptive processes underlying learning and memory.
Pot lowers BDNF levels. So if an adolescent’s brain is not developing normally, pot may make it worse (D’Souza et al. 2009; Zammit 2003). Clinically we have found that if we can get our client clean from marijuana after their first psychotic symptoms, they have a far better chance of recovery rather than suffering a progressive course.
Chronic marijuana use has been found to have various negative health effects, including:
a suppressant effect on immune system (long-term unknown);
an adverse effect on the reproductive systems of men and women (lower testosterone and lower sperm count in males and lower LH secretion in females), but there is no evidence of a change in fertility;
no identified increase in birth defects, but may contribute to low birth rate and less maternal milk production;
problematic behavioral syndromes including lower GPA, more truancy, higher drop out rate, and more delinquency.
Marijuana has become BIG BUSINESS.
Big tobacco money is investing in the marijuana industry. As a result, I anticipate the “mom and pop” head shops will be going bankrupt while even more slick marketing comes on the scene. There’s big money to be made at the expense of the public’s health…again (remember tobacco?).
As marijuana gets more addictive and capable of generating profit, we are seeing a more diverse product line of smokables and edibles, some of which are packaged to be attractive to children. Although there are no reported cases of death by marijuana overdose, there are increasing numbers of emergency room visits due to marijuana use. Safety groups are advocating for potency limits, better labeling, bans of products packaged to appeal to children, and a regulatory structure for marijuana similar to those that exist with tobacco and alcohol.
Regardless of your opinions about adult use of marijuana, I think we can all agree that marijuana is harmful for children and teens. I hope these facts inspire you to have a factual discussion with your kids. Although education isn’t all kids need to stay safe from drugs, I am frequently pleased to see my clients alter their course after a factual and reasonable discussion about the risks of marijuana on the developing brain.
I’m the mom psychologist who will help you GetYourKidsInternetSafe.
Andréasson, Sven, Ann Engström, Peter Allebeck, and Ulf Rydberg. “CANNABIS AND SCHIZOPHRENIA A Longitudinal Study of Swedish Conscripts.” The Lancet 330.8574 (1987): 1483-486. Web.
Bedi, Gillinder, Richard W. Foltin, Erik W. Gunderson, Judith Rabkin, Carl L. Hart, Sandra D. Comer, Suzanne K. Vosburg, and Margaret Haney. “Efficacy and Tolerability of High-dose Dronabinol Maintenance in HIV-positive Marijuana Smokers: A Controlled Laboratory Study.” Psychopharmacology 212.4 (2010): 675-86. Web.
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Haney M, Gunderson EW, Rabkin J, Hart CL, Vosburg SK, Comer SD, Foltin RW. “Dronabinol and Marijuana in HIV-Positive Marijuana Smokers: Caloric Intake, Mood and Sleep.” JAIDS 45 (2007): 545–554. [PubMed]
Lynch, Mary E., and Fiona Campbell. “Cannabinoids for Treatment of Chronic Non-cancer Pain; a Systematic Review of Randomized Trials.” British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 72.5 (2011): 735-44. Web.
Meier, M. H., A. Caspi, A. Ambler, H. Harrington, R. Houts, R. S. E. Keefe, K. Mcdonald, A. Ward, R. Poulton, and T. E. Moffitt. “Persistent Cannabis Users Show Neuropsychological Decline from Childhood to Midlife.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 109.40 (2012): E2657-2664. Web.
Stefanis, N. C., M. Dragovic, B. D. Power, A. Jablensky, D. Castle, and V. A. Morgan. “Age at Initiation of Cannabis Use Predicts Age at Onset of Psychosis: The 7- to 8-Year Trend.” Schizophrenia Bulletin 39.2 (2013): 251-54. Web. http://schizophreniabulletin.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2013/01/10/schbul.sbs188.abstra ct
Ware, M. A., T. Wang, S. Shapiro, A. Robinson, T. Ducruet, T. Huynh, A. Gamsa, G. J. Bennett, and J.-P. Collet. “Smoked Cannabis for Chronic Neuropathic Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Canadian Medical Association Journal 182.14 (2010): E694-701. Web.
Zammit, S. “Self Reported Cannabis Use as a Risk Factor for Schizophrenia in Swedish Conscripts of 1969: Historical Cohort Study.” Bmj 325.7374 (2002): 1199. Web.
