Marijuana & adolescent health

Data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration show how teen marijuana use can be harmful.  Marijuana is the second most commonly used drug (after alcohol) by teenagers who use drugs.

Emergency Department Visits
The chart below shows that marijuana is the most frequently identified drug among adolescents visiting a hospital emergency department for a drug-related problem on a typical day.

Number of Emergency Department (ED) Visits for Drug Misuse or Abuse on a Typical Day for Patients Aged 12 to 17

Substance Abuse Treatment
Though alcohol is the drug of choice among adolescents, marijuana is, by far, the number one drug identified by adolescents entering substance abuse treatment.  This is different from adults -- alcohol is the primary drug identified by adults entering treatment.

Number of Adolescents Aged 12 to 17 Admitted to Publicly Funded Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities on a Typical Day