EXCLUSIVE: Why Teens Are Confused by Cannabis Products and How Parents Can Help – Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META)

The legalization of cannabis has flooded the market with a variety of products such as sodas, gummies, chocolate, oils and more. However, for teens, these products are more than just tempting, they are often confusing and potentially dangerous.

Jessica Willoughby And Stacey Hust, researchers and professors at Washington State University, have spent years studying how young people understand cannabis. Their results suggest that there is still a lot of work to be done.

See also: Sharp Decline in Teen Marijuana Use: Legalization and Demographics Examined

“Young people in particular are not very aware of cannabis products and packaging and don’t know how to interact with them if they decide to use them or want to learn more about them,” Willoughby said in an exclusive interview with Benzinga. This lack of knowledge often leads to misuse, especially when products look like everyday snacks or drinks.

Appearances can be deceiving

The way cannabis products are packaged is a big part of the problem. Gummy candies and chocolate often resemble popular candy brands, and cannabis-infused sodas can look like any other soft drink.

“It looks like a Starburst package,” Willoughby said. “To them it looks like something you could sit down and eat five or six of – but one of them will have a very different effect on you.”

The portion sizes add another level of confusion. Cannabis sodas, for example, typically contain multiple servings in a single bottle.

But Hust told Benzinga: “The young people we spoke to were not aware of this. Most of them thought you should drink it like a Coca-Cola or a root beer.”

Some US states are trying to address this problem. Washington has banned certain design features such as bubble fonts and cartoon characters on cannabis packaging. Other states, such as California, have considered banning fruit images to make products less attractive to children. But the risks remain, especially if teens don’t know what to look out for.

Social media is changing the game

The spread of cannabis doesn’t just happen in stores or through friends and acquaintances, but everywhere on social media. Young people see cannabis products on platforms like Meta Platforms Inc’S META Instagram and TikTok, where they are often shared in posts by friends or influencers. “They also create and share social media content about it,” Hust said.

Even outside of the digital world, cannabis is hard to ignore. Nearly 38% of teens reported seeing cannabis advertisements on their way to or from school; a third noticed them near parks or movie theaters. For many teenagers, these products become another part of the landscape.

Talking to Teens: What Parents Need to Know

Willoughby and Hust insist that education is the best tool for parents. Often, simply telling teenagers to avoid cannabis isn’t enough. Instead, they suggest having open, informed conversations to help teens overcome these challenges.

Here is her advice for parents:

1. Assume that your teen will be exposed to cannabis
   Hust urged parents to face reality. “Even if you think your child is not around children who use cannabis, assume they will be exposed to it.”
2. Talk about why abstinence is important
   “Help them understand that until their brains fully develop, cannabis will have a different effect on them.” Hust noted that many parents who use cannabis themselves still prefer not to use it, according to their teenagers.
3. Teach them to be smart
   Willoughby emphasized the importance of teaching youth to evaluate products. “If you’re thinking about using it – and again, we want to discourage you from doing so – it’s important to understand the packaging and portion sizes.”
4. Role model for responsible behavior
   If parents use cannabis, they must store it safely. “These products look like snacks,” Willoughby added, making accidental ingestion by children a real problem.
5. Promote open communication
   “Teenagers are more conscious than you think,” Willoughby said. “Have open conversations and make sure they feel comfortable asking questions.”

A new way of education

To help young adults navigate the world of cannabis, Willoughby and Hust developed an intervention program aimed at providing practical education. The show is narrated by a former cannabis marketer who knows the industry and can speak authentically about its risks and realities.

“We didn’t want to stigmatize cannabis use,” Hust said. “For adults over 21, it’s a choice. But we want them to be informed consumers.”

The program covers topics such as reading product labels, understanding potency, and avoiding harmful combinations like mixing cannabis with alcohol. Early trials with college students have shown that the program increases knowledge and confidence in making informed decisions.

Researchers are currently testing the program in Washington, Illinois and New York and plan to expand nationwide if the initial rollout is successful.

Why young people need a voice in politics

Both researchers say youth themselves need to be included in discussions about cannabis policy. “Adults often think they know what appeals to teenagers, but they don’t,” Willoughby said.

Washington state is an example of incorporating young perspectives. The Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board has funded research to better understand how youth perceive cannabis products, a step that Hust sees as crucial.

“If you don’t talk to the target audience, you’re going to have a hard time developing policies that actually protect youth,” she said.

“Parents, policymakers and educators all have a role to play,” Hust continued. “If we don’t prepare the next generation, we are leaving them vulnerable in a world where cannabis is as visible as any other product.”

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Cover photo created with AI.