Approximately 95% of adolescents who were referred to the Collin County Substance
Abuse Program (CCSAP) for substance abuse evaluations have reported marijuana
use. 100% of these adolescents reported having friends who have used or are actively
using marijuana. With such high percentages of reported marijuana use it is safe to call
this an epidemic.
One could speculate the rampant use of marijuana among adolescents is possibly
attributed to a more positive public mind-set due to the decriminalization of marijuana
use in several of the United States. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse
(NIDA) as of March 2014 the number of states that have legalized marijuana for
medicinal use was 20. Another article found on the site governing.com reports as of
February of 2015 there are now 23 states and the District of Columbia that have
legalized marijuana use in some form.
Many times an adolescent argues marijuana use with: “It is a natural herb…” “It’s used
to treat medical conditions…” “It helps me to relax and focus…” “Colorado legalized it
and it is a matter of time before Texas allows marijuana use…” My all-time favorite
comment by adolescents between the ages of 15 and 17 “I plan to move to Colorado as
soon as I can.”
Several CCSAP clients reported they have used marijuana in other ways than smoking.
They have reported use of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) infused pastries, baked goods
and candies. One client who violated terms of probation by submitting a positive urine
specimen reported accidental ingestion of THC infused candy. This client stated the
packaging of this candy was similar to the regular candy. Researching this claim there
are no similarities in packaging at all. Every THC infused candy has either a big pot leaf
on the front or THC printed on the front of the packaging.
Other forms of THC use are concentrated THC oil that can be placed in an electronic
cigarette cartridge or Dabs. Dabs or Wax is a THC concentrate that is created with
butane. Its appearance is glassy yellowish looking a bit like ear wax, thus the name
Wax.
For kids, the bottom line is: marijuana use is illegal in the State of Texas. For parents,
know that substance use of any kind with adolescents is problematic. Drug and alcohol
use with anyone is a serious health hazard and MUST be addressed immediately and
aggressively!
One cannot take a passive approach to drug and alcohol use especially among
adolescents. The earlier adolescent substance use is identified and addressed the
higher the probability of deterring this adolescent in continuing use into adulthood.

The aggressive and immediate approach to adolescent substance use includes taking
the adolescent to a licensed professional for a substance abuse evaluation. With a
substance abuse evaluation the counselor can determine what substances have been
used and the extent and frequency of substance use. Referrals to appropriate treatment
services are always provided to the family.
Along with referrals to treatment services I recommend the parents drug test their teen
regularly, search their rooms, personal belongings, social media and phones. These
adolescents are engaging in dangerous behaviors by using intoxicating, illicit, and illegal
substances which marijuana fits all three.
The unfortunate truth is marijuana use has become more widely accepted in the United
States. The absolute truth is marijuana use will interfere with adolescent neurological
development, contains 400 more carcinogens than a filtered cigarette, and is illegal for
anyone at any age in the State of Texas.
Spring of 2014 the news reported that area teens had reportedly used a “legal” form of
LSD and were sent to the hospital for treatment of possible drug overdose.
Unfortunately the drug testing on these teens as with anyone using any of the synthetic
drugs did not provide evidence of illicit, illegal substances in their systems.
Information gleaned from adolescents in substance abuse classes and young adults
receiving substance abuse evaluations, shows this “legal” LSD is a synthetic drug called
25i-NBOMe. 25i is the latest version of synthetic hallucinogens developed in a
laboratory at the Free University of Berlin. Its predecessors include 2Ci, 2Ce, and 2Cb
all developed for the user to enjoy similar hallucinogenic experiences noted with LSD.
This substance can be liquefied and placed on a blotter dissolved under the tongue or in
powder form to be snorted.
The desired affects are euphoria, increased sexual arousal, exaggerated sense of self,
and hallucinations that are “dream-like.” Hallucinogen users describe two different types
of experiences with these drugs; a body high where it seems that the area around them
is in sync with their heartbeat and breathing, in essence the walls or the sky breaths
with them or seems to be pulsating in sync with their heartbeat. The other high is
psychedelic where the user experiencing the area around them melting, distorted, or
blurred. A mix of colors blended in with seemingly exaggerated light effects. This is also
described as a “spiritual” experience.
Hallucinogens interact with the 5HT serotonin receptors in the brain which govern
mood. 25i can excite the neurotransmission to the point where the user experiences
severe panic, fear, and anxiety. Basically the brain begins to short-circuit. Seizures,
nausea, confusion, black out, loss of consciousness or death can occur.