Kids and Marijuana: 10 things parents should know

By News Canada

The number of Canadian kids smoking marijuana is rising and Health Canada wants parents to know the facts so they can talk to their kids about the realities of this powerful and illegal drug. Realities such as:

• Marijuana smoke contains more than 400 chemicals, including some of the same cancer-causing substances found in tobacco smoke.
• Marijuana lessens coordination and balance.
• Marijuana impairs motor skills.
• Marijuana impairs learning.
• Marijuana impairs memory.
• Marijuana can lower inhibitions and impair judgment which can lead to unprotected sex, sexually transmitted disease and unwanted pregnancies.
• Marijuana can interfere with human reproduction, menstrual cycles in girls and hormones in boys.
• Impaired driving means just that, whether it's from alcohol, marijuana or both.
• One third of Canadian kids between 12 and 19 report using marijuana at least once.
• Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal substance in Canada

- News Canada