Legal Marijuana: Now What? A Guide to the Law, Vaping,

and Teen Health

Matthew Quinn, LCPC, CADC

My Background

▣ BA in Psychology from University of Notre Dame▣ MA in Clinical Psychology from Illinois School of

Professional Psychology▣ Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)

and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)▣ 15 years working with teens/young adults and

their families▣ 6 years in private practice in Lombard▣ 4 years in community relations for Rosecrance

Health Network ▣ 8 years leading teen substance abuse program at

Elmhurst/Edward Hospital

Why is this important to talk about now?

▣ People are dying from vaping-related illnesses

▣ Marijuana legislation has created low-risk messaging for young people

▣ Historic increases in teen vaping (locally and nationally) in the past two years

▣ Widespread education on health risks not taking place

Higher Dose Effects of THC

▣ Difficulty thinking/making decisions/solving problems

▣ Distorted perceptions▣ Impaired balance and coordination▣ Paranoia▣ Problems with Learning/Memory▣ Acute Psychosis (Delusions, Panic)

Great risk from… 1991 2006 2018

Try marijuana once or twice 30%  22% 14%

Use marijuana occasionally 49% 36% 21%

Use marijuana regularly 82%

67% 38%

Risk for Progression

Gateway Drug=Risk Factors

▣ Family History (Genetics)▣ Age of First Use▣ Mental Health Issues (ie.

Depression, Anxiety, PTSD)▣ Trauma (Childhood Abuse)

Marijuana Laws in Illinois (January 2020)

▣ Adults 21+ (1 oz flower, 500mg edibles, 5 grams concentrate)

▣ Only medical can grow at home▣ Existing dispensaries first then new

licenses starting May 2020▣ Tax rate will depend on potency▣ Convicted of under 1oz eligible for

pardon

What’s in the Vape Liquid?

▣ Propylene Glycol ▣ Glycerin ▣ Flavoring▣ Water▣ Nicotine or Marijuana

(typically)

Acetaldehyde (paint stripper)AcetoneAcroleinBenzene (pest and gas)Cadmium (car batteries)ChromiumDiacetyl (popcorn lung)

Diethylene Glycol (afreeze)FormaldehydeIsoprene (rubber)LeadNickelProponalPropylene Glycol (deicing)TinToluene (poison industrial solvent

Vaping Recently Linked with Deaths and Lung Damage

▣ 60 vaping related deaths ▣ Over 2,600 diagnosed with

breathing-related illnesses ▣ Vitamin E acetate (lung fluid

from 29 cases in 10 states)▣ Chemical burns from

pesticides/fungicides (hydrogen cyanide)

Vaping Recently Linked with Lung Damage

▣ 14 teens in Wisconsin hospitalized with lung damage

▣ All admitted to recently vaping, both marijuana and nicotine

▣ Some needed assistance breathing/intensive care

▣ https://youtu.be/6wGsyG-VaAQ

Your Brain on Juul

▣ First-time users becoming addicted in two months vs. two years

▣ Urine level of nicotine 60% higher than cigarettes

▣ 58% of Juul users kept using after trying vs. 17% for cigarettes

▣ “It’s hard to sum up,” 17 year old said. “It’s something that’s made my life worse, made my life terrible. I wish I had never started it.”

Nicotine, THC and the Teen Brain• Key parts of the brain

continue rapid development to mid 20s

• Too much attention is being paid to legalization and not enough to impact on teen brain development.

• Hippocampus (memory), amygdala (emotion and anxiety), nucleus accumbens (motivation), hypothalamus (appetite, stress), cerebellum (muscle coordination)

Functional Impact of Teen Marijuana Use

▣ Poor academic performance▣ Higher school drop-out rates▣ Higher unemployment rates▣ Lower satisfaction with life▣ Higher rates of welfare

enrollment https://youtu.be/FvszaF4vcNY

Cannabidiol (CBD)

▣ 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp (from which CBD is produced).

▣ FDA approved medication for rare childhood seizure disorders

▣ Currently sold as supplement and not medication (lack of regulation of content)

▣ Lack of research thus far

Ok So Now What?

Help Build Internal Tools

▣ Self-confidence▣ Authenticity ▣ Social skills▣ Resilience (seven

C’s, Dr. Ginsburg)▣ Right Decisions

Made By Themselves

Listen More Than Talk

▣ Shoot for 75/25 ratio▣ Teens are more likely to

make good decisions if parents listen

▣ More likely to listen to you if they feel understood

▣ Validate first…don’t just lecture/problem solve right away

Set Non-Use Expectation

• Kids who learn about the risks of drugs or alcohol from their parents are 50% less likely to use drugs or alcohol than those who do not.

• 2/3 of teens say losing their parents' respect and pride is one of the main reasons they choose not to drink or use drugs.

Parent Communication

‘Education Bites’

▣ Look for opportunities to briefly mention carcinogens in vapes/brain development/risk for addiction related to youth marijuana/lung damage from vaping

Do’sStay CalmExplore the ‘Why?’Express concern via loveCommunicate expectationsAppropriate consequences

Don’tsRite of PassageYellThreaten‘At least it’s only…’Avoid helpShame

What If My Teen Started Using?

‘The Heavy’

▣ Delaying use is important (as expectation and not just hope)

▣ Education only goes so far▣ Don’t be afraid to search

room/phone/drug test (easy@home)▣ Get help if discussion/consequences

don’t work▣ Set a good example/what about own

history?

• https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/documents/2016_sgr_full_report_non-508.pdf

• https://www.fda.gov/TobaccoProducts/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Manufacturing/ucm602792.htm#9

• https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/e-cigarette-flavoring-chemicals-linked-to-respiratory-disease/

• http://newscenter.lbl.gov/2016/07/27/e-cigarettes-emit-harmful-chemicals-emit-others/

• https://phys.org/news/2017-04-quantitative-aldehyde-content-electronic-cigarettes.html

• https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/e-cigs-create-toxic-vapors-harmless-e-liquids

• https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/juul-ecigarette/https://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/news/20150218/e-cigarette-ingredients#1

• http://gaspforair.org/gasp/gedc/pdf/E-CigSmoke.pdf

Sources

Thank You!!

Matthew Quinn, LCPC, CADC630-779-6819mjquinn520@gmail.com