To some extent, the decriminalizing of recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older has opened the doors for younger people to use cannabis. According to the New York chief medical officer, one in five students smokes weed.
This statistic has created growing concern among the public. According to Dr. Cathy Ward of Big Apple Pediatrics, many teenagers have switched from vaping to smoking marijuana due to the variety of flavors available.
Dr. Ward also implied that its accessibility had piqued their interest. Marijuana use among children can cause damage to their young brains. Dr. Ward said kids are also particularly vulnerable to nicotine dependence and addiction.
In related research published in JAMA Pediatrics, among teens aged 10–24, found that the possibility of marijuana use was 3.5 times higher for those who vaped than for those who didn’t.
Dr. Nicholas Chadi, the author of the study, said that when a young brain is exposed to an addictive chemical like nicotine, it can become more sensitive to other substances. As a result, it seeks a more rewarding and thrilling sensation. This can make substances like marijuana more enticing.
In addition, the study found a correlation between vaping and marijuana. This result suggests that vaping needs to be considered in the broad category of addictive and harmful substances.