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There's a reason marijuana is called "the gateway drug". Readily available and regarded by many people adults to be relatively harmless, many teenagers who find that they like the high marijuana provides will proceed to other, rather more serious drugs.

Many who consider marijuana like a "harmless" drug, achieve this because when they think of the drug, they're thinking of the marijuana they may have smoked back in the 60's, 70's or 80's. However, selective breeding and sophisticated growing techniques in the last two decades, including hydroponics and special lighting systems means today's marijuana is a lot different today.

The active ingredient in marijuana is Delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.This is the chemical that provides marijuana users their high.

Within the 1960?s marijuana contained about 1% THC. In the 1970?s it was as much as 4%.Today's marijuana contains at least 10% THC, or even more. Which means most of the marijuana being smoked by teens today is at least 10 times more potent than what their parents may have smoked when they were teenagers.

Few teenagers will put themselves in the position to be around their parents when they are high. However, there are other indicators of the teen smoking pot. Parents who suspect their teenager is using marijuana should keep their eyes open for these indicators.

NAMES FOR WEED

   rolling papers
   hash pipes
   small plastic bags with remnants of dried marijuana leaves
   remnant seeds in pockets
   the "sweet" give an impression of marijuana smoke on clothes, bedroom, or car
   lighters or matches
   use from the word pot, or 420 (nicknames for marijuana)

Cigarettes will also be a great indication of teenage marijuana use. Many teens begin cigarette smoking to hide the odor of marijuana smoke, in order to explain the existence of matches or lighters in their possession.