A rising trend among teenagers is the use of a portable, discreet vaporizer called the G-Pen to smoke marijuana, and especially in large cities, these devices are relatively easy to find. In New York City, for example, smoke shops line an entire block in the East Village, attracting teens and college students alike. Their specialty is the sales of various types of paraphernalia along with things like jewelry and candles.
A Fox reporter found a G-Pen, an instrument used by marijuana users who wish to avoid the harmful effects of traditional smoking methods, at one of these shops for a mere $90. They are also popular among teens because they are easy to conceal and resemble electronic cigarettes.
Dangers of Marijuana
Dr. Alan Ravitz, the director of Forensic Psychiatry at the Child Mind Institute, is concerned about the pen’s appeal to young consumers. The website where these pens are sold offers a vaporizer kit called “The Game/G-Box,” named after the rapper and VH-1 reality TV star, The Game. He and his show appeal to a younger audience.
According to Dr. Ravitz, the research shows that there are harmful effects experienced by those who use marijuana in their teenage years and early 20s. Some of the effects include:
- Compromised ability to complete complex tasks
- Increased risk of developing psychosis if genetically predisposed to it
- Association with depression and anxiety
- Lower IQ
The vaporizer pens are offered in a variety of colors at different prices ranging from relatively cheap for the most basic models to high dollar amounts for more sophisticated models.
Fight Back Against Teen Marijuana Abuse Now
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, studies of high school students show that many young people use marijuana before trying other illegal drugs, thus they have determined that the risk of using other drugs is much higher for those who have used marijuana than for those who have not. It’s thought that using marijuana puts people in contact with other people who sell and use drugs so many teenagers who use marijuana will be exposed to other types of drugs more frequently.
According to a 2012 study, about 6.5 percent of 8th graders, 17 percent of 10th graders, and 22.9 percent of 12th graders admitted to using marijuana in the month prior to the survey. If your son is struggling with marijuana abuse and unable to stop, don’t wait to seek help. It’s not harmless. Call now for more information on how we at Muir Wood can help your son move forward in life and leave drugs of all kinds behind.