Pediatricians' Guide to Cannabis in Adolescents: Screening, Syndromes, and Treatment

Despite increasing adult cannabis use and higher-THC products, longitudinal studies show less than 20% of youth report current cannabis use and lifetime use has actually decreased over recent decades. The review covers acute and chronic clinical syndromes, evidence-based screening tools, and treatment modalities specific to adolescents.

Clinical review published in Pediatrics in Review covering cannabis formulations, THC concentration variations, epidemiological trends in youth use, clinical syndromes (acute and chronic), evidence-based screening tools, and treatment approaches for adolescent cannabis use.

The perception that teen cannabis use is exploding does not match the data. While more potent products are available and adult use has risen, adolescent use has not followed the same trajectory. This nuanced picture helps pediatricians calibrate their responses and focus on evidence-based screening and intervention.

The disconnect between rising adult legalization and stable or declining youth use suggests that regulatory frameworks may be effectively limiting youth access, or that other social factors are at play. However, the increasing potency of available products means that youth who do use may face greater risks per use episode.

Narrative clinical review without systematic methodology. Relies on existing epidemiological surveys that may have limitations. U.S.-focused. Does not quantify the impact of higher-potency products on the subset of youth who do use.