Youth Under 21

• Effects on The Brain and The Body
  The human brain may not fully develop until about the mid-20s. Youth using marijuana during this critical time can cause damage and physical changes to the developing brain. Some damage can be permanent and can cause problems with the brain’s ability to concentrate, solve problems, learn new information, retain memories, and overall thinking, paying attention, and the brain’s ability to coordinate movement with the body. In addition, breathing problems can occur with smoking marijuana, and eating marijuana products creates a higher risk for poisoning.
• Effects on School Life
  Marijuana’s negative effects on the brain can impact your school life. Continuous marijuana use can cause teens to earn lower grades than their peers as marijuana affects memory, learning, and attention. This has been linked to increased dropout rates among youth who use marijuana products, and marijuana use has also been linked to lowered IQ scores.
• Effects on Social Life
  It may seem like all teens are smoking marijuana, but only 18.8% of Nevada teens (Nevada YRBS, 2019) reported using marijuana. Using substances like marijuana can increase risky behaviors, and these behaviors can put you at higher risk for contracting STDs and HIV, and pregnancy. It can also affect reaction time, coordination, and concentration needed for safe driving and operating machinery. Driving while under the influence of any mind-altering substance can be fatal. Youth with a family or personal history of mental illnesses, depression, anxiety, and/or a developmental disability should refrain from using marijuana products as it can worsen the symptoms and increase risk factors for addiction.

• Nevada Laws
  As of November 8th, 2016, both recreational and medical marijuana were legalized in Nevada for adult consumers who are 21 years of age and older. It is illegal for anyone under 21 years of age to purchase, possess, and use any recreational marijuana product. It is also illegal for adult consumers to give recreational marijuana products to anyone under the age of 21.
• Penalties
  The law states that anyone who is not at least 21 years of age and attempts to falsify their age to obtain marijuana would be guilty of a misdemeanor. Entering, loitering, or remaining on the grounds of marijuana establishments without being a medical cardholder carries a fine of up to $500 in Nevada.

• The best way for youth to use marijuana is not to use it at all. It is illegal for anyone under 21 to use any recreational marijuana product.
• Marijuana has a stronger effect on youth than adults. Factors like how it is used, gender, body weight, previous experience, and whether food has been consumed can affect the experience. Since everyone reacts differently to marijuana, these factors should be taken into consideration when planning to use it. Use less than the serving size (a single dose is estimated to be about 10 mg) and monitor the effects before using more.
• Do not use synthetic cannabinoids, also known as K2, Spice, and Spike, which have been linked to deaths and are illegal for anyone to possess regardless of age. Call the Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222 if you took synthetic cannabinoids or 911 for help.
• Marijuana should only be purchase at a licensed retail store or dispensary. Marijuana obtained from other sources can contain harmful substances like PCP, heroin, embalming fluid, LSD, methamphetamine, ketamine, cocaine, glass, and other toxic materials.
• Marijuana will affect coordination and attention. Do not operate machinery or do other activities while using marijuana products. Operating a vehicle, vessel, or aircraft (this includes water skis, surfboards, bicycles, drones) while under the influence of marijuana can lead to prosecution. In Nevada, you can be charged with a DUI if you drive under the influence of marijuana.
• Do not use alcohol, medications, or other illicit drugs with marijuana. Alcohol can intensify the effects, cause greater impairment, and boost exposure to dangerous chemicals, causing more harm to the body. Mixing marijuana with prescription medications can alter how the medication works. Using other substances like opioids or cocaine can change the effects of marijuana, increase exposure to harmful toxins, and increase risks for addictions.
• Vaping is not safer than smoking marijuana. The way the marijuana product is heated can expose users to EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product-use associated lung injury), harmful cancer-causing chemicals, and marijuana poisoning.  Products like vaporized and concentrated waxes and oils can have more THC.
• When eating edibles, start slow and wait for the body’s reaction before eating more, as it can take between 30 minutes to 2 hours to feel the effects. Ingesting too much too fast can cause a person to feel sick, too high, or experience marijuana poisoning. It is better to eat food before taking edibles because eating afterward can increase THC amounts, causing a stronger “high” than anticipated.
• It is always a good idea to inform someone when using marijuana products in case of an unexpected reaction or health emergency.
• For free help quitting smoking or vaping, contact the Nevada Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) ,or visit www.nevadatobaccoquitline.com for more information.

National Institute on Drug Abuse Preventing Marijuana Use Among Youth & Young Adults What Can Marijuana Be Laced with? Cannabis Compliance Board
Tips for Teens The Truth About Marijuana CDC Marijuana Fact Sheets Teens Health and Human Services National Institute on Drug Abuse National Conference of State Legislatures State of Nevada