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Original poster

Teenagers smoking weed - how common?

64 replies

1newname · 07/10/2023 20:07

Ds1 is 17 and started smoking weed when he was 15. I've never been particularly happy about it but within his large friendship group they're all doing it (and more, unfortunately).

Not that it matters but I'm wondering how common it is with teens. How do things look for your teens?

OP posts:
Original poster
1newname · 07/10/2023 20:54

@Scutterbug how old is your 4th?

I can see it's having a bad effect on him (lazy, unmotivated, being a moron)

OP posts:
Scutterbug · 07/10/2023 20:55

1newname · 07/10/2023 20:54

@Scutterbug how old is your 4th?

I can see it's having a bad effect on him (lazy, unmotivated, being a moron)

He’s 21. Holds down a full time job, rents a flat independently.

Original poster
1newname · 07/10/2023 20:55

I told his school about it and they didn't seem too concerned. I was surprised to be honest, although it's turning out to be a shit school.

OP posts:
Original poster
1newname · 07/10/2023 20:57

@Scutterbug it depends on the person doesn't it. One of my best friends smokes daily (all day at the weekend) and she's productive, creative and responsible.

OP posts:
clappyjay · 07/10/2023 20:59

I smoked it every now and then between 16 and 17 (normal loving middle-class home and background) my parents had no idea. It was often passed round at parties etc. This was 2009/2010 time so a while back. Once I turned 18 and was able to get into decent bars/clubs I was all about having a drink and clubbing at weekends and didn’t smoke it again.

Lizzieregina · 07/10/2023 21:01

Where I live it seems to be fairly common. I’ve heard that it’s what teens choose over alcohol. It’s legal here though. And teens aren’t supposed to do weed or alcohol (over 21) but they do!

I’ve never tried it but I know when I smell it. It’s awful.

EarthlyNightshade · 07/10/2023 21:08

Very common where I am, smallish south west town.
Groups of kids in park smoking, general smell around on certain (middle class) streets.
I know my DS smokes it occasionally - we discuss it fairly often and he knows how I feel about it. His whole friendship group does it.
I am friends with a couple of mums in the group and they are both delighted that their kids never touch it - clearly their kids hide it better than mine (they are all doing it).

fortheloveofjamdoughnuts · 07/10/2023 21:15

1newname · 07/10/2023 20:57

@Scutterbug it depends on the person doesn't it. One of my best friends smokes daily (all day at the weekend) and she's productive, creative and responsible.

Yeah, there's drinking alcohol and becoming an alcoholic, and all the grey inbetween

HRTQueen · 07/10/2023 21:18

Very common in ds (year 11) group of friends and has been for the last year

many of their parents are quite liberal about it and allow them to in moderation 🙄

I do not I am aware he has tried it but there is not a chance I shall be ok with this

its extremely concerning how many young people are suffering from severe mh issues caused the through smoking weed it’s causing far more issues than alcohol

Branleuse · 07/10/2023 21:30

I think it's pretty common round here.

Woush · 07/10/2023 21:35

I'm a DSL in the Midlands, plus a mum of four and DS17 smokes week a few times a week.

I'd describe weed now as the equivalent of cigarettes back in the 90s - the majority don't partake but a large minority do, and most see it as no more than a marker for social class (ie, the chavs smoke) than a big deal in itself.

WinterDeWinter · 07/10/2023 21:36

In London - very common.
Son from 15-19 then trailed off and now 'straight edge' so nothing at all incl alcohol, but I don't expect that to last
Daughter 16-18 (18 now) probably once every couple of weeks or so, feels like it's falling off now she can go to cool bars (so am now watching alcohol use carefully)

dahliaaa · 07/10/2023 21:37

My DC's are older now but it was very common in their 'outstanding' state school and the local private school. I was really concerned about it because of how strong it is now.
One DS had a very reaction to it. Really affected him mentally. Thank goodness he stopped.

WinterDeWinter · 07/10/2023 21:37

Woush · 07/10/2023 21:35

I'm a DSL in the Midlands, plus a mum of four and DS17 smokes week a few times a week.

I'd describe weed now as the equivalent of cigarettes back in the 90s - the majority don't partake but a large minority do, and most see it as no more than a marker for social class (ie, the chavs smoke) than a big deal in itself.

Do you mean 'the chavs' (not going to comment on wording) smoke weed or fags?

WinterDeWinter · 07/10/2023 21:40

And if so @woush what do the poshos do instead of smoking weed?

I think realistically in London many middle class mid-teens (maybe 30%-40%) are doing ketamine regularly. It's fucking awful and I'm v grateful that mine are beyond that.

Original poster
1newname · 07/10/2023 21:42

Yes, ketamine does seem to be a thing here. I'm shocked, but then I've never been into drugs. Growing up around addicts has put me off.

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ohdamnitjanet · 07/10/2023 21:44

Very common. Most of my ( 23yr old ) ds frIends smoke weed or have taken various drugs, I live in a fairly ok uk holiday coastal town and I smell weed in town almost every time I go out. But now they’re older I think a lot of them want to stop or have cut down, it seems like a teen right of passage.

Woush · 07/10/2023 21:47

WinterDeWinter · 07/10/2023 21:37

Do you mean 'the chavs' (not going to comment on wording) smoke weed or fags?

Show quote history

Both. Back in the day, "the chavs" (although that vocab didn't exist in 90s, but the type of people that represents) smoked cigarettes. Nowadays "the chavs" (the vocab still isn't great, but I used to generate an image of a group and I can't think of another word) smoke weed.

What do thr other kids do? Some of them also smoke weed and choose to hang around with the ner-do-wells. In my area the more affluent and busied by their parents in organised sports, extra curricular activities, or they have a strong educational ethic and do school work, current affairs, tutoring... all manner if things.

Chchchanging · 07/10/2023 21:47

Angrymum22 · 07/10/2023 20:48

There is a lot of evidence that the current form of weed can increase the risk of schizophrenia in those who may be susceptible. DH has an uncle who developed the disorder in his 20s and it destroyed his life. I made sure that DS was aware that he may have an increased risk and he has so far avoided weed.
Unfortunately his cousin, who is the same age, has early signs that he is in the early stages of schizophrenia, the family are in denial and are trying to get a diagnosis of ASD but he has never fitted the symptoms. He has never smoked weed but it’s possible he has the genetic predisposition. It’s very sad, lockdown had a massive impact but he is showing all the symptoms his great uncle had.
DS did Alevel psychology and they studied schizophrenia as a topic. He has also made the connection with his cousins symptoms so is quite adamant that drugs aren’t for him. Unfortunately he is quite fond of alcohol, although showed no interest until he was 16/17, he didn’t like the taste.

This. It is a known trigger for schizoid illnesses. My DB has schizoid affective disorder (not triggered by drug use but by an evangelical Church at uni) and so I have told all my DC the harm weed could do to them. As they poss have a genetic predisposition..
I also bang on about the way drug use supports organised crime, people smuggling, county drug lines etc etc.
They don't do drugs.
They are/ were at an independent school and drugs are rife. Alcohol was bought by parents for parties from year 9 (which i dont agree with), which is symptomatic of parents thinking it is just 'kids being kids'.... and they have the money and means. As well as weed there is amphetamine use, ketamine, coke and god knows what else.
It's terrifying.
We are in a small provincial town.

HRTQueen · 07/10/2023 21:54

Ds is at an independent school

quite a few of his friends are at the most elite private school in south London and drug use is absolutely rife especially weed and ketamine

there is far more liberal parenting 🙄

theunbelievabletruth · 07/10/2023 22:12

I was a big weed smoker from about 14 until the end of Uni at 22.. I then got a 'proper job' and it no longer fit in with my lifestyle. I didn't drink at all. My vice was weed. I'm 60 now.

I am the mother to 4 and step mother to 3. One of mine is a regular smoker of weed . The others will do it at parties etc. of my Dsc 3 are infrequent users and one has never tried it (or smoked anything for that matter) The two that smoke weed got into it at boarding school aged about 14 but at 20+ are no longer v interested.

Stomacharmeleon · 07/10/2023 22:48

@1newname I have written about it lots on here but my son had a full psychotic breakdown in his teens, was sectioned in a forensic unit and was diagnosed with schizophrenia all before 16 due to weed smoking.

It can do huge damage.

truthhurts23 · 07/10/2023 22:49

FawnFrenchieMum · 07/10/2023 20:19

Some of the kids involved are really sporty as well which surprises me and some of them are from the private school so not even a certain ‘type’ of teen.

ha private school kids do the most drugs and drinking

Original poster
1newname · 07/10/2023 22:50

@Stomacharmeleon were there any warning signs? This is one of the things I'm worried about

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foxlover47 · 07/10/2023 22:55

My elder two are adults now but looking back kids of my sons friends smoked it , I know he did for a bit when he was going through a break up but luckily stopped though did substitute it with drinking too much for a while , but from friends with teens now It still seems pretty much common that it's still a lot of teens smoking it