The Gap Between Adolescents’ Perceived and Actual Risk of Cannabis Use

Though many people are aware of the dangers of smoking and alcohol, the risks associated with cannabis and marijuana are often underestimated, especially when it comes to teenagers’ perceptions. In a recent report based on research, experts advocated for increased policies and prevention against youth and adolescent cannabis in front of Oregon’s state senate Committee on Early Childhood and Behavioral Health. Recently, cannabis products have seen a rise in THC potency and have become more accessible and appealing to adolescents, despite early cannabis use being linked to psychosis, substance use disorder and other physical and mental harms.

According to Oregon experts, including psychiatrists, pediatricians, addiction counselors and health professionals, education and prevention efforts in schools and media are lacking, resulting in continued early cannabis use and decreased understanding about its negative impacts. There is a large gap between the perceived and actual risk of cannabis use, and as one expert stated, “People do not know that cannabis is dangerous. The signs on the stores have green crosses on them. There is an enormous educational gap here.”

A recent survey, the Oregon Student Health Survey, presented shocking results demonstrating this gap. 32% of 8th grade students and 45% (nearly half!) of 11th grade students indicated that they don’t see regular marijuana use as risky. This belief, stemming from ineffective education and appealing marketing strategies, sets the stage for early use and its resulting mental health problems.
Proposed efforts to increase prevention and decrease adolescent cannabis and marijuana use include…

Read the full article here! https://www.opb.org/article/2025/05/14/addiction-experts-raise-alarm-about-cannabis-use-among-oregons-youth/