# How Adolescent Cannabis Use Influences Risky Sexual Behavior and Decision-Making > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-use-risky-sexual-behavior/ > **Published:** 2022-04-12T16:00:35-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T11:16:41-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore adolescent cannabis use risky sexual behavior and how decision-making and externalizing symptoms influence these risks in teens. --- During adolescence, people exhibit a higher propensity for risk-taking behaviors, including risky sexual behaviors (RSB), which are sexual behaviors that can directly lead to STIs or unplanned pregnancies. Previous research has demonstrated that externalizing disorders – the most commonly known of which are ADHD and antisocial personality disorders – [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) problems, and poor decision-making abilities each independently predict RSB. However, how these factors interact and influence RSB particularly in adolescents is a crucial topic not yet well understood. Scientists at the Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado recently conducted a study on a group of over 200 teens to address this gap. As predicted, they found that a greater number of symptoms of externalizing disorders, more problems with [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/), and more risk taking behavior are all positively correlated with higher likelihood of RSB. More interestingly, decision making and externalizing symptoms mediates the correlation between cannabis use and RSB. This means among teenagers who make more risky decisions or exhibit externalizing symptoms in psychological tests, cannabis use problems predict later engagement in RSB very accurately, but this correlation is not true among those who don’t. Based on these findings, the authors suggested that treatment and prevention approaches to reduce RSB among adolescents would benefit from techniques to improve decision-making skills, as well as identification and management of externalizing symptoms. [More access here](https://cedclinic.com/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence [Kaiser Study Finds Higher Risk of Psychiatric Disorders in Teens Who Use Cannabis](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-psychiatric-outcomes-2026-digest/) This study explores the increased psychiatric disorder risks among teens who use cannabis, providing context for adolescent behavioral health. [Read More](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-psychiatric-outcomes-2026-digest/) [Stress, Emotional Intelligence and the Intention to Use Cannabis in Spanish Adolescence: Influence of COVID-19 confinement](https://cedclinic.com/stress-cannabis-use-adolescents-covid19-impact/) Examines how stress and [emotional intelligence](https://cedclinic.com/stress-cannabis-use-adolescents-covid19-impact/) influence [adolescent cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-use-and-anxiety-research/) intentions during the [COVID-19 pandemic](https://cedclinic.com/will-the-coronavirus-force-states-to-legalize-marijuana/). [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/stress-cannabis-use-adolescents-covid19-impact/) [Endocannabinoid System & Adolescent Health Research](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-psychosocial-risk-factors-health-research/) Research on the endocannabinoid system's role in [adolescent health](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-use-sexual-behavior-study/), relevant to understanding cannabis effects on youth behavior. [Explore Research](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-psychosocial-risk-factors-health-research/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [X Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Risky%20Sexual%20Behavior%20Among%20Adolescents%3A%20Cannabis%20Use%20and%20Decision-Making%20Impact&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fadolescent-risky-sexual-behavior-cannabis-decision-making%2F) [in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fadolescent-risky-sexual-behavior-cannabis-decision-making%2F) [Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Risky%20Sexual%20Behavior%20Among%20Adolescents%3A%20Cannabis%20Use%20and%20Decision-Making%20Impact%20https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fadolescent-risky-sexual-behavior-cannabis-decision-making%2F) [Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan) [Read more on Substack](https://doctorapprovedcannabis.substack.com/) [Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/feed/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).