WHY IT MATTERS: Parents and young people should understand that cannabis use during adolescence is not a low-stakes decision, because the developing brain processes cannabinoids very differently than an adult brain does, with potential consequences for long-term mental health. CLINICAL OVERVIEW: Adolescent cannabis use carries meaningful psychiatric risks because the developing brain, particularly the endocannabinoid system, is uniquely vulnerable to disruption from exogenous cannabinoids during the years of active neurodevelopment that extend into the mid-twenties. Exposure during this window has been associated with increased rates of anxiety, depression, and psychosis, with higher-potency THC products amplifying these concerns considerably.