A lot of parents, and teens, think of marijuana as just a plant. “It’s less dangerous than alcohol.” And while that may have been true for the weed back in our day, today’s plant is much more potent, much more available, and much more harmful.
At Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center, we’re seeing the real-life consequences of marijuana use every day. Teens are coming in with serious mental health challenges related to cannabis use. Psychosis, anxiety, depression, and disrupted brain development. For a lot of families, the new reality around marijuana comes as a shock.
With the legalization of marijuana happening in many states across the country, there is the illusion of safety. But the adolescent brain is still developing, and consumption of cannabis during the young adult years can interfere with the growth of critical neural pathways. The areas most often affected are areas of the brain involved in emotional regulation, decision-making, and memory.
Jeff Noles, Clinical Director at Stonewater, sees young men come into treatment convinced that cannabis use disorder is “absurd” and couldn’t possibly apply to them. But then we look at their story and their symptoms, and it tells a different story.
It is this disconnect between perception and reality that makes it hard for families to spot the warning signs of marijuana-induced mental health issues until things get completely out of control.
The New York Times ran a deep-dive into the rising cases of marijuana-induced psychosis among teens. One quote from 20-year-old Annika Sheehan, who developed psychosis after regular marijuana use, is especially haunting: “It’s like a constant whispering in my ear.”
Unfortunately, Annika’s story isn’t unique. At Stonewater, we’ve seen young men who experience psychosis after regular marijuana use. Bryan Fikes, Founder & CEO, recalls one such case where a client required 11 months of treatment for cannabis-induced psychosis. “The extent of the complications we’re seeing from prolonged marijuana use is increasing.”
There was a time when marijuana-induced psychosis resolved within a week or two. Not anymore.
Co-Founder Elizabeth Fikes explains:
“We used to see that marijuana-induced psychosis... could come to us after stabilization and maybe experience ongoing symptoms for maybe a week to two weeks. And now we have young men who... still continue to experience symptoms... for 60 to 90 days.”
That’s a huge shift. And it’s likely linked to the increased potency of today’s marijuana. Many strains now contain THC levels of 20% or higher—compared to just 2-5% in the 1990s.
The teenage brain is a construction zone - building connections, pruning unused ones, and developing the wiring needed for emotional stability and executive function. When adolescents use THC it disrupts their endocannabinoid system which plays a key role in mood, memory, and motivation.
Cannabis also alters their prefrontal cortex which is crucial for healthy decision-making and impulse control. On top of this, it contributes to long-term changes in brain volume and connectivity in areas tied to mental health.
These changes aren’t just theoretical. They show up in behavior, academic performance, and emotional health and can persist long after marijuana use stops.
If you’re seeing signs that something isn’t right, don’t wait. The sooner you intervene, the better your child’s chances for full recovery.
Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center offers specialized care for teens facing mental health challenges related to substance use, including cannabis. Contact us today to learn how we can help your family take the next step forward.