Even amidst the challenging landscape of U.S. politics, it’s encouraging to see legislators unite on important issues. One such effort is the new bipartisan Senate bill aimed at tackling youth substance use, titled the Law on Prevention and Awareness of Youth Substance Use.
What are kids consuming these days? Surprisingly, many young people are turning to high-potency marijuana rather than alcohol. With marijuana becoming increasingly legalized and normalized, it’s hard to ignore its pervasive presence.
From 2020 to 2023, marijuana use among 12- to 17-year-olds surged from 3.4 million to 3.8 million. It’s the most commonly used drug in this age group. These young users are not sticking to the substances that were prevalent in the past; instead, they have access to impressively potent THC products often sold in candy-like packaging.
This is why the bipartisan bill introduced in May by Senators Mark Kelly, Thom Tillis, and Chris Coons is so vital. While it doesn’t solely concentrate on preventing marijuana use among children, it adopts an approach that could fortify the fight against it.
The legislation aims to develop a Department of Justice program, which would assist state and local governments in addressing the growing issue of illicit drug use among youths. This would involve expanding grants for evidence-based public service announcements at various levels.
The bill emphasizes accountability and effectiveness in advertising, mandating reporting on the impact and research behind each public service announcement.
A policy rooted in evidence and public accountability benefits everyone. There’s plenty of recent bad news about marijuana, including statistics detailing its health risks for children that need to be widely addressed.
One study from the Public Health Institute, involving nearly 100,000 young participants, revealed that kids in areas where marijuana is banned were significantly less likely to have been recently diagnosed with psychotic disorders compared to those living in nearby, more permissive regions.
Furthermore, research from Europe published in March indicates a doubled risk of schizophrenia and psychosis among teens using marijuana.
Considering the rise of youth-friendly cannabis products, the need for prevention becomes increasingly pressing. In April, research indicated that after legalization, marijuana use among teens saw a 26% increase in states where edibles and extracts are available.
These findings highlight the pressing physical and mental health risks associated with marijuana. They serve as crucial content for public service campaigns, which can shine a light on the dangers of what some may falsely claim to be harmless use among children.
Contrary to those claims, there were almost 900,000 emergency room visits related to marijuana, surpassing those linked to opioids in 2023.
It’s essential for Congress to pass this bill and for the President to sign it. This legislation is not only commendable but also crucial, particularly in light of misleading narratives regarding “safe” drug use that exist, sometimes prompted by taxpayer-funded campaigns in areas like New York City.
The plan moving forward involves more impactful drug use public service announcements that will take the discourse to a national level. An extensive campaign focused on youth can effectively highlight the real dangers of marijuana, ultimately benefitting children and, by extension, their parents during elections.
It’s time for the White House’s National Drug Management Policy Office to revamp its national prevention campaign aimed at youth, something that has been lacking since the 1990s.
However, even the best campaigns can’t reach every vulnerable young person. There should be measures to ensure that legal marijuana isn’t overly appealing or easy to access.
It’s crucial to hold the industry accountable and utilize the FDA’s power to remove harmful products from the market. So, kudos to the senators who have pushed this important initiative forward.
Now, it’s time for their colleagues and American families to get on board.
