wsj.com: Thinking About Marijuana and Mental Health

1/22/2024

Potent Pot Hurts Kids” (Page One, Jan. 11) highlights the increasing incidence of marijuana-induced psychotic disorders in teenagers. As cannabis potency rises, the risk of severe mental-health issues escalates, particularly among young users. This is a wake-up call for parents who may view marijuana as a harmless rite of passage. Marijuana use can trigger or worsen mental-health disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in adolescents, a group already vulnerable to mental-health challenges.

This challenge calls for proactive strategies to guide our youth toward drug-free lifestyles. The goal is to present teenagers with compelling alternatives to marijuana use, creating supportive environments where they can explore their potential and manage stress without harm.

Angelo M. Valente
Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey
Hoboken, N.J.