Weed affects everyone’s mind and body very differently, especially depending on how much and how long they’ve used it. Everyone’s reaction to weed is different, because everybody is different.
Weed can affect you beyond your health. It can impact your daily life in ways you might not expect.
Now can be a great time to build skills around and do the things that bring you joy. Whatever your thing is– sports, gaming, theater, art, or other activities – weed can affect the skills that make you good at it: your reaction time, coordination, and focus. Your choices around weed can help support that growth, or stunt it.
All schools in New York are drug-free zones and have strict policies against the possession or use of all substances. Getting in trouble for weed at school could mean disciplinary action (even getting expelled), missed opportunities (think field trips with your classmates, team sports, college recommendations), and may poorly impact your academic record.
Getting through middle school and high school is no small feat. Using weed may make schoolwork harder and hurt your grades.
Many workplaces are also drug-free. Using weed before or at work can lead to unsafe working conditions for you and others, termination (getting fired), and even impact your ability to get future job opportunities.
Showing up for friends, family, and the things you love is part of what makes you uniquely you! Being present, reliable, and feeling connected is important for these relationships. Your choices around weed can impact that. People may feel the need to set a boundary, share concerns about your health, or enforce consequences based on your actions.
**If an adult gives or sells weed to someone under 21, it’s considered a Class D felony and can have serious consequences for you both.**
In New York, using weed is only legal if you’re 21 or older. If you’re caught with it before then, you may be fined by law enforcement and be required to complete court-mandated educational programming or drug treatment.
These consequences can be especially intense if this happens at school. In some circumstances, young people may be charged as an adult for weed-related offenses. This includes impaired driving charges (driving while high), distribution to other minors, and other serious offenses. Make choices around weed for past, present and future you!
Weed can affect your body quickly or take time, depending on how it’s used. If someone smokes or vapes, they might notice the effects right away. Some people might feel dizzy, nauseous, or notice their heart beating faster. Coordination and reaction time might slow down. If someone eats an edible, it can take longer to feel the effects, making it easier to overconsume. Products today can be stronger, which can make the effects less predictable—especially if you take more before it fully kicks in.
Weed can change how you think and feel in the moment. It can make you feel anxious, panicked, or paranoid. It can even make anxiety or depression feel worse.
Weed can also make it harder to focus, remember things, or make decisions. How it affects you depends on the product, the amount, and your body.
Your brain keeps developing until about age 25. Using weed during this time can affect your memory, learning, focus, and decision-making in the future. This can make things like school, sports, and daily responsibilities harder to manage.
Some teens try weed once and stop or don’t go back to it for some time. Some use it occasionally. Others find it becoming a bigger part of their life than they expected…or wanted.
So, when does weed use actually become a problem? How does someone start getting help? And what does getting help even look like?
Sometimes weed use may start feeling harder to control than it used to. It could start to take up more space in your life or become harder to stop even when part of you wants to cut back. You may start crossing boundaries you set for yourself or feel shame or confusion around your weed use.
You are not alone. Some young people may develop a dependence (addiction) to weed. This is a health condition and is typically diagnosed by healthcare practitioners as Cannabis Use Disorder.
If you experience any following signs of Cannabis Use Disorder, it may be time to talk to a parent or trusted adult:
People who have Cannabis Use Disorder may also be at a higher risk of other negative consequences, such as problems with attention, memory, and learning.
If you or someone you know is struggling with weed use, the first step is to open up to someone you trust who is supportive and understanding. That could be a parent, a teacher, a relative, a doctor, or a school counselor. Check out our conversation starter tool to help you prepare!
These conversations can often be hard. Remain calm and curious so they know that you are there for support, not judgement. You may have to end the conversation early and try again at a different time. But ultimately, you are there for support, not to tell them what to do or what they are feeling and there are more resources and qualified professionals available to assist.
Worried about substance use — yours or someone you care about?
“Greening out” on its own isn’t usually a medical emergency. But sometimes there are underlying health reasons – ones a person might not even know about – that mean waiting it out isn’t the right call. If you or someone you know is “greening out,” the most important thing is to stay calm.
If you’re not sure what to do, just get help!
Call 911 or get a parent or trusted adult especially if:
Because vapes contain a product or substance, their vapor is not harmless. Smoking or vaping weed can harm your lungs. Smoke and vapor can contain harmful chemicals and fine particles that may affect lung health. Some products have been linked to serious lung injuries.
Vapes can also deliver high (stronger, potent) levels of THC quickly, making the effects harder to predict and control.
