The Growing Impact of Cannabis Use on Families

Marijuana is increasingly likened to alcohol in terms of societal impacts, particularly concerning children. The surge in cannabis use, with nearly 70 million users annually in the U.S., is becoming a concern for many, including children exposed to it at home. A study from the University of California San Diego highlights a troubling statistic: around 6 million children live with a parent who frequently uses cannabis.

Recent discussions on The Ingraham Angle have raised concerns about children’s exposure to cannabis. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicates that children in households with regular cannabis users are twice as likely to use cannabis themselves.

Adult cannabis use has more than doubled in two decades, now affecting over 8% of the population, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. The addictive nature of cannabis is exacerbated by increased THC content. Edibles may contain up to 10 mg of THC, while concentrates can have 50% to 95% THC. The average THC content in buds and flowers is now 15% to 25% compared to 1% to 2% decades ago.

Children suffer from these trends, starting with exposure in the womb. Fetal cannabis exposure nearly doubles the risk of premature birth and increases the likelihood of low birth weight, necessitating medical intervention in the Neonatal ICU. National data indicates over 5% of pregnant women have used marijuana recently, with this number rising.

Research also finds that prenatal exposure to cannabis correlates with a 2.5-times-higher likelihood of THC use during adolescence. A Harvard study links maternal cannabis use during a child’s first 12 years to the child’s potential cannabis use by age 16.

Beyond addiction, cannabis affects parenting. Parents who use cannabis regularly may experience emotional instability, risky behaviors like car accidents, and challenges with mental health and parenting. Such environments can foster anxiety in children, mirroring the parent’s emotional state.

Addressing cannabis use parallels strategies for alcohol addiction. Historical approaches to alcohol dependency, such as those by Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bill Wilson, offer insights. Wilson’s approach, rooted in shared experiences and spiritual insight rather than preaching, facilitated recovery and could guide cannabis addiction management.

Although twice as many Americans drink alcohol compared to those who use cannabis, more individuals consume cannabis daily than drink alcohol daily. Applying Wilson’s strategies of mutual support and spiritual tools could be instrumental for both cannabis and alcohol addiction recovery.