Helping to prevent the use of marijuana amongst our Latin/Hispanic youth and young adults

The Youth Marijuana Prevention & Education Program (YMPEP) works towards educating communities, stakeholders, and policymakers on the development and implementation of local policies that address the prevention of marijuana use amongst our Latin/Hispanic community.

Services we offer include Marijuana Prevention Trainings for parents and youth available to schools and agencies serving youth in our region. We also have medicine lockboxes available for safe storage of medications, alcohol, and cannabis products out of sight and with restricted access to kids and youth.

Marijuana Quick Facts:

• According to the CDC, 38% of high school students report having used marijuana in their life.
• According to research by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana use can have permanent effects on the developing brain when use begins in adolescence, especially with regular or heavy use.
• Nowadays, marijuana is not the natural substance people think it is. THC, the psychoactive chemical (active ingredient) that changes the brain and makes people feel physical effects, is found in larger quantities today.
• Marijuana can have many negative effects on developing adolescent brains that can include:
  • Difficulty thinking and problem solving
  • Problems with memory & learning
  • Impaired coordination
  • Difficulty maintaining attention

Resources:

• Start Talking Now
  • Teens are under the influence…of you | Los adolescentes están bajo su influencia
  • The Facts About Teens and Marijuana |  La realidad sobre la marihuana y los adolescentes
• You Can WA
• Cannabis Laws, Safety & Health | Know This About Cannabis
• Youth Now | Cannabis Conversations
• Prescription Medication & Recreational Marijuana Lock Up and Disposal

Want to learn more?