Cannabis Use in Youth Recorded
With marijuana legalization expanding across the United States, school-aged children and adolescents are increasingly exposed to cannabis products—both intentionally and unintentionally. Misperceptions of safety, potent new formulations (such as Delta-8 THC and cannabis “wax”), and the rise in edible exposures have created new challenges for school health professionals. This presentation provides school nurses with an up-to-date review of the epidemiology, neurobiological effects, and health risks of cannabis use in youth. Participants will learn how marijuana impacts brain development, cognition, learning, and behavior, as well as how it contributes to academic difficulties and psychosocial consequences. Case examples and current research data will be discussed to illustrate real-world presentations of cannabis exposure and use among students. The session emphasizes early identification, student assessment, family communication, and evidence-based prevention and referral strategies. By the end of this course, school nurses will be better prepared to recognize warning signs, provide informed education, and collaborate effectively with families and school personnel to promote student safety and well-being.
Target Audience
Nurse
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this continuing education activity, participants will be able to:
- Describe current trends in adolescent and pediatric cannabis use in the United States, including prevalence, exposure patterns, and perceptions of risk.
- Differentiate between major cannabinoids (e.g., THC, CBD, Delta-8 THC) and their neurobiological effects on the developing brain.
- Identify the acute and long-term cognitive, behavioral, and physiological effects of marijuana use in youth, including impacts on memory, attention, coordination, and decision-making.
- Summarize the association between adolescent cannabis use and long-term outcomes such as psychosis, academic underachievement, and reduced employment opportunities.
- Recognize signs of cannabis dependence and withdrawal, and discuss risk factors contributing to addiction in adolescents.
- Assess the implications of marijuana legalization on pediatric exposures, family safety, and clinical care.
- Apply evidence-based counseling strategies when discussing marijuana use, harm reduction, and prevention with youth and families.
Raymond Pitetti, MD
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the University of Pittsburgh and the Pennsylvania Affiliate of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists. The University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Nursing (CNE)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 1 contact hours.
Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.
Available Credit
- 1.00 ANCCUPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
- 1.00 Attendance

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