Adolescents , Addiction , and the States : Treatment Challenges and Approaches
In the 10 years that have passed since Colorado and Washington State legalized recreational marijuana use , turbulence and change in attitudes and laws related to drug use have occurred .
While many states have followed in the footsteps of Colorado and Washington , even more have legalized medicinal marijuana . The decriminalization of marijuana use in many states has been another significant change over the last decade . Currently , marijuana is fully illegal in only four states : Idaho , Montana , South Carolina , and Wyoming , disa . com / map-of-marijuanalegality-by-state .
By Jeremy M . Northrop , PhD , LPC / MHSP , NCC , is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Tennessee and a National Certified Counselor who teaches full-time behavioral health , doctoral-level courses . He also works parttime counseling adolescents in residential treatment . His counseling specialties include addictions , anger management , adolescents , and mild marriage and family concerns .
These and other changes regarding cannabis and other drugs have had a significant impact on professionals who treat addicted adolescents . With the growing acceptance of marijuana use , many adolescents reason , “ If it ’ s legal , it can ’ t be bad .” Confusion is further compounded by the effect of the drug depending on how it ’ s ingested , its potency , and the purpose of using cannabis , which many adolescents think is the same as marijuana . ( Though the terms are often used interchangeably , marijuana refers to “ cannabis products that are made from the dried flowers , leaves , stems , and seeds of the cannabis plant ,” according to www . legalline . ca .)
A LANDSCAPE OF MIXED MESSAGES
Youths and adults alike receive a plethora of mixed messages about substance use , and the behavior by public figures creates additional confusion . While using marijuana is still illegal for minors , so is using alcohol and tobacco . Taking the time to notice how the various counties in the states handle adolescents who use alcohol and tobacco can provide good insight into how the various states will deal with the same population using marijuana .
Most , if not all , states will not press charges when minors are caught using tobacco and alcohol . Many states have already decriminalized marijuana use among adults and will likely follow suit among teenagers . In states where marijuana use is fully legal for adults , behavioral health professionals cannot assume that adolescent use will be prosecuted . It is safe to assume , however , that minors living with guardians who use tobacco , alcohol , and marijuana will follow the example of their guardians — and likely experience few legal consequences .
Another scenario that deserves mention affects adolescents who live close to a state line where the neighboring state has very different laws concerning marijuana use . In the state of Missouri , for example , marijuana use is legal for medical reasons but not recreationally . In neighboring Illinois , marijuana is fully legal . Thus , individuals living in St . Louis , Missouri , can easily slip over into Illinois and obtain the substance from a vendor . In these types of situations , both states blame the other for the illegal action , and a legal quarrel ensues , with both states attempting to force the other to deal with the concern .
One can only imagine what might happen to the minor / adolescent whose parents have shared custody but live in two different states ! It is equally easy to imagine the problem being compounded along the state line shared by Wyoming and Montana . Marijuana use is fully illegal in Wyoming , but fully legal in Montana .
The already mixed messages that adolescents ( and adults ) are receiving create confusion that is intensified by the mixed messages dispensed by the media — in addition to what teens are exposed to on social media . Coupled with the manipulative nature of teens attempting to get what they want , this confusion can lead to adolescent substance use and addiction .
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20 The Advocate Magazine 2022 , Issue # 2 American Mental Health Counselors Association ( AMHCA ) www . amhca . org