Get support to quit vaping

Know the risks of nicotine

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Choose to live Indigenous and free

Not Buying It

Teen years are a time to explore and grow.
Don't let weed get in the way of your goals.

AK LIVE VAPE FREE

Keep your brain healthy.

AK LIVE VAPE FREE
Before age 25, your brain is undergoing a massive growth spurt. Marijuana use can cause significant changes to the "wiring" of your brain.
AK LIVE VAPE FREE
Today's weed has much more THC than a decade ago. Those high levels of THC can alter how your brain develops.

You learn and remember better without weed.

AK LIVE VAPE FREE
Youth who regularly use weed are more likely to have difficulty learning, memory issues and academic challenges. You may also lack motivation and energy, and lose interest in activities you used to enjoy.

Driving high can lead to a DUI

Marijuana use is shown to harm your:

  • Reaction time
  • Short-term memory
  • Hand-eye coordination
  • Concentration
  • Perception of time and distance
Marijuana also affects your ability to judge your own level of impairment, so even though you may think you can drive, don't risk hurting yourself or others on the road.
AK LIVE VAPE FREE
Young people who use marijuana may be more likely to experience anxiety and depression. Heavy marijuana use can also make existing mental health conditions worse. This risk is amplified for adolescents with a family history of mental illness.

If you need help now, talk with a trained crisis counselor:

Chat with a National Suicide Prevention Lifeline counselor online.

Call 988, the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for free, private help or dial 911.

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    Know the risks of marijuana

    Underage marijuana use can impact more than your health. There are societal and legal consequences that can affect your goals and knowing the risks can help you make the best decisions for your future.

      Addiction
      Ready to hit the road this winter break? Did you know that if you get pulled over under the influence of marijuana you could get a Minor in Possession (MIP) charge and risk losing your license? Don’t take that chance.
      Money
      The military has a zero-tolerance policy regarding marijuana. Using marijuana could hurt your chances of pursuing your dream career in the armed forces. Protect your future, skip the cannabis.
      Stress
      Marijuana use changes the way the brain functions. Many teens who use marijuana daily or near-daily may struggle with mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and paranoia.
      Stress, anxiety and depression
      Marijuana use can impact brain development and affect memory, attention and thinking, making learning and retaining information harder. Save your brain. Quit or cut back.
      Memory
      Marijuana use can impact your brain in serious ways. Your brain can continue to develop in healthy ways when you quit using marijuana. Talk to your health care provider about quitting or cutting back.
      Driving
      Someone who is under the influence of marijuana might think they’re okay to drive, but marijuana also affects a person’s ability to judge their own level of impairment. If you consume, don’t get behind the wheel.
      Brain development
      Until 25, your brain is going through a major growth spurt that can make you more vulnerable to addiction. Every time you use nicotine products like tobacco or vapes, it can cause changes to the “wiring” of the brain and the pathways that are still building connections. This makes your brain more vulnerable to addiction, impulse control, and even problems with learning and memory.
      Heavy metals

      Toxic chemicals like acetaldehyde and formaldehyde are known to cause cancer and have been found in vapes. In addition, when vapes heat up, even more toxic chemicals are formed. People who vape aren’t breathing in harmless water vapor.

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      More Resources for You

      Looking to quit or cut back?

      Quitting can help you.

      You can find treatment programs through the website findtreatment.samhsa.gov provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
      (SAMHSA).

      You can also call the SAMHSA Treatment Referral hotline at
      1-800-662-HELP.
      Treatment can help you, a friend, or someone you love get back to the person you or they once were.

      More marijuana facts for teens

      Learn more about impacts to driving, school, addiction, and mental illness.


      The National Institute on Drug Abuse shares facts about the risks of marijuana.

      What you need to know about marijuana use during your teen years

      Read more about harmful effects from marijuana on your health and well-being.


      The Center for Disease Control and Prevention share some information about how marijuana can impact your life.

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