The Florida Department of Health has issued a reminder to the public and health care providers about the risks associated with non-medical marijuana use among children and adolescents. The department highlighted increasing rates of marijuana use and related health concerns in this age group.
According to national data, over 61.8 million Americans aged 12 and older reported using cannabis in the past year. Among adolescents aged 12–17, more than 2.5 million have used marijuana illicitly, with many teenagers believing it is safer than alcohol or other drugs.
Florida-specific data from 2023 shows that over 221,000 middle and high school students have tried marijuana at least once, while more than 115,000 reported using it within the past month. Additionally, over 232,000 students rode in a vehicle driven by someone who had used marijuana recently, and more than 73,000 admitted to driving after using marijuana themselves during the same period.
The department noted significant increases in negative outcomes linked to adolescent marijuana exposure. Poison control calls involving pediatric exposure rose from 72 in 2016 to 696 in 2023—an increase of nearly ninefold. Emergency department visits for similar exposures increased from under 700 to over 6,500 cases during that time.
Research cited by the department suggests that using marijuana during adolescence can harm cognitive development and mental health. Adolescents who start using before age 18 face a higher risk of addiction. Long-term use beginning in early adolescence is linked to an average decrease of eight IQ points. About one-third of adolescent users may develop some degree of addiction; there are also established links between cannabis use and anxiety, depression, psychosis—including schizophrenia—and an eleven-fold greater risk for developing psychotic disorders compared to non-users.
Marijuana’s effects on brain development are also concerning because the human brain continues maturing until around age twenty-five. Regular use among adolescents has been associated with lasting impairments in attention, memory, and processing speed—even after stopping use.
Accidental exposures are rising as new cannabis products and delivery devices become available on the market; poison control center calls about accidental ingestion among children have increased by more than half since several states legalized cannabis.
"The State Surgeon General recommends against the use of recreational marijuana and cannabis products among adolescents."
The Florida Department of Health encourages health care providers to incorporate routine screening for substance use in patients aged twelve or older; offer evidence-based counseling on risks associated with adolescent marijuana use; and refer those showing signs of substance abuse disorder to appropriate mental health resources.
The department is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board and works statewide through integrated efforts aimed at improving public health.
For additional information about their work or resources related to substance abuse prevention visit www.FloridaHealth.gov or follow them on social media channels such as Twitter (@HealthyFla) or Facebook.