Pot and marijuana are common terms for cannabis, the Cannabis sativa plant, which is used in the form of dry, shredded leaves or flowers, notes TeensHealth. Teenagers often view marijuana as a safe, low-risk drug even though its use is illegal in most cases. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, marijuana use by teenagers decreased between the years of 2002 and 2005 and stabilized from 2005 to 2007. Stopping a teen's marijuana use can have short-term and long-term benefits.
Step 1
Expand your knowledge of marijuana. According to The Anti-Drug website, pot is not the same as it was in the 1960s. It is now often stronger, with higher levels of THC, the psychoactive agent in marijuana. Also, marijuana is sometimes laced with other drugs, such as PCP, which could make it much more dangerous. Educate yourself on the effects of the drug, the different names by which it is referred, the risks, the consequences and the signs of use. Having a significant understanding of the drug and its use will help prepare you to answer important questions that teenagers might have.
Step 2
Talk with teenagers to build the groundwork for open and regular conversations about marijuana and marijuana use. This can increase the chance that a teen will stop using. Inform the teen how you feel about her use of marijuana. Discuss the risks of marijuana. Marijuana use may lead to the use of more risky drugs, legal problems and the inability to get a job due to the teen's inability to pass a drug test, notes TeensHealth. Let teens know that you care for them and will always support them.
Step 3
Establish and enforce consequences for marijuana use. Inform the teen about what will happen if he does not stop using marijuana. Create consequences that are appropriate for the teenager, such as losing privileges to his phone or car or being unable to hang out with his friends for a set period of time. Make sure to follow through with the established consequences even if the teen begins acting out or threatening bad behaviors. Reward the teen for positive behaviors and for each time period he does not use marijuana.
Step 4
Get the teen evaluated for other mental health conditions. Teens may use marijuana as a way to cope with the symptoms of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, bipolar disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Begin treatment for the mental health disorder if the evaluation warrants it. Treating for the mental health disorder will help reduce the symptoms and reduce the need for marijuana. Also, the treating mental health professional will help the teen reduce her marijuana use.
Step 5
Create goals with the teen. Helping the teen to plan goals he wants to accomplish in the future will give him things to work for and accomplish that will be hard for him to do if he continues using marijuana. According to The Anti-Drug website, regular or habitual marijuana use might lead to memory loss and can increase dropout rates.
