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Pediatricians have raised concerns about the rising prevalence of cannabis use disorder in children and adolescents, citing increased potency of available products and ease of access through both legal and illicit channels as major risk factors. The clinical significance of this warning centers on the established neurodevelopmental vulnerabilities of youth, whose still-maturing brains are particularly susceptible to cannabis-induced cognitive impairment, psychiatric complications, and addiction potential. Clinicians should be aware that cannabis products now available in legal markets often contain substantially higher THC concentrations than historical street supplies, increasing the risk of problematic use patterns and adverse effects in younger populations. Early identification and intervention for cannabis use in pediatric patients requires routine screening during adolescent health visits, particularly given that many young users may not recognize their consumption as problematic or report it without direct inquiry. The takeaway for clinicians is to implement regular, non-judgmental cannabis use screening as part of standard adolescent care and to counsel both patients and parents about the specific developmental risks and high addiction potential associated with youth cannabis use.
“What we’re seeing clinically is that adolescent cannabis use disorder has become increasingly common in my practice, and the barrier to access has essentially vanished, which means we need to shift from prevention conversations to early identification and evidence-based treatment strategies that most pediatricians still aren’t trained to deliver.”
💊 As pediatricians increasingly encounter cannabis use disorder in younger patients, the accessibility of cannabis products—particularly potent, standardized edibles and concentrates—presents a clinical challenge that warrants attention in routine adolescent screening. While cannabis legalization has improved regulatory oversight in some jurisdictions, it has paradoxically increased product availability and appeal to minors through marketing and ease of concealment compared to traditional smoking. Clinicians should recognize that modern cannabis products differ substantially from those of previous decades in potency and formulation, potentially increasing risk for earlier-onset use disorder, cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, and psychosocial consequences during critical neurodevelopmental periods. Important confounders include variable state-level regulations, socioeconomic disparities in enforcement, underlying mental health comorbidities, and limited long-term outcome data specific to adolescent users. A practical approach involves normalizing cannabis screening as part of comprehensive substance use assessment in all
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