With the president having recently issued a federal pardon of all prior “simple marijuana possession” charges, numerous states voting for cannabis legalization, and creative pot marketing on the rise, we’ve entered a new era around how this drug is viewed in daily discourse.

As a psychologist deeply invested in the science of anxiety, marijuana and its impact on our kid’s lives has been a topic I've worried about for some time now. Why? It’s simple. There isn’t enough science. We don’t know the implications or long term impact cannabis use will have as it moves from an illicit substance to one that is steps away from being legal nationwide.

I don’t have a problem with Biden’s decision. But I do think it bears questioning if the marijuana kids are smoking today is comparable to the pot people smoked 20 and 30 years ago. The science says it’s not.

In fact, the data point to a dramatic increase in strength over the past decade just as states have taken up questions around legalization, medicinal usage, and regulations.I wrote about these concerns in a recent article, Marijuana and anxiety: Advice for Parents and Caregivers. Teen angst is also a concern I’m hearing a lot from parents.

The grouchy, moody, and emotional unpredictability so many kids wrestle with through adolescence is almost a rite of passage. Yet, those mood swings can often indicate increased anxiety about everything from relationships, to test taking, getting into college, choosing to opt-out of college and more.

Teenage angst is a very real thing. Understanding it can help empower parents and loved ones to take smart actions as needed, and develop more compassion for all that your kids are dealing with at a very young age.

That said, not all teen anxiety requires a trip to the counselors office. It’s important to understand what worries are truly “full alert” and which merely need to be monitored. If you’re unsure about what to “pay attention to” when it comes to teen anxiety, this is a well-researched article that canlhelp clarify what’s important to attend to now.

As we move through fall, it’s clear how much we all have on our plates and anxiety naturally flows from that place. My hope for you is that you find the grace to worry less over things that are not truly red-flags and instead use that energy for activities that lift you up.

Enjoy the rest of the season,

Alicia
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