In Florida, medical marijuana is legal, but recreational use of the drug is not. The penalties for marijuana possession vary based on the quantity. Parents need to think about the legal and medical implications of their marijuana use as well as if their children are using it.
Topics for marijuana and parenting
Parents who use marijuana at home should think about what that may mean if their kids know. There is some evidence that marijuana can have a negative impact on adolescent development. While marijuana use has become more widespread, and the scientific understanding of its harm has evolved, and the drug is not considered as dangerous as it was, that doesn’t mean that it is safe for everyone, and there is a lot of studying to be done to understand it.
Another issue with marijuana is that the children of parents who use it are more likely to use it themselves, and that brings on the risk of criminal charges. Recreational use is not legal in Florida, so the possession of the drug can have long-term consequences. A drug conviction as a teen can be a major problem for college attendance and other goals.
As a parent, it is important to give careful thought to the idea of using marijuana and what it will mean for the children in the house. Even if you do not think that the usage of the drug itself causes harm, the risk of the legal consequences should be taken into account. After all, although the culture around marijuana has gotten looser, the legal environment has not changed very much, which is a serious concern.