Introduction: Is My Kid
Smoking Pot?
Chances are, if you've found this website, you're already
asking yourself, Is my kid smoking pot? Rummaging through
their personal belongings without anything more than
parent's intuition will immediately alienate you from your
teenager. However, with a better understanding of the signs,
paraphernalia, and activities of a typical pot-smoking
teenager, it may be easier to relate to your teenager about
their use of marijuana and approach him or her for a
meaningful discussion. Our website incorporates the
experiences of former teenage marijuana users in an attempt
to provide parents with enough current information to be
credible. This website is dedicated to providing a
realistic, up-to-date look at the signs, symptoms, and
possible proof that may answer the question once and for
all, is my kid smoking pot?
Obvious Signs
There are many signs that can inform parents as to whether
or not their kids are smoking pot. Everything from the
smell, red or swollen eyes, or uncharacteristic behavior can
clue you in that illegal substance use might be an issue you
need to address. In the next section we will attempt to
describe some physical signs of marijuana use in your kid.
What's that smell?
Marijuana has a very distinct smell similar to a skunk's
spray. It may also be compared to the smell of burnt lawn
clippings. An easy way to simulate the smell, so you know
what you're looking for, is to burn a dried leaf from a
maple tree. Although not exactly the same, the smell is very
similar to that of burning marijuana.
Be suspicious of a kid that’s constantly spraying air
freshener into their room or car or picks up a new incense
or candle burning habit. This might not apply to every kid,
but in some cases they could potentially be hiding
something. Smoke shops sell highly potent air sanitizing
sprays that claim to eliminate smoke in the air. They
usually come in smaller, more compact canisters, and are
sold at a higher rate than the average air freshener. If
your kid has begun to come home wearing heavy cologne,
perfume, or body spray this could also be an indicator,
especially if they typically wear a reasonable amount or
none at all. Some kids will also try to cover the smell by
burning strongly scented incense or candles. They may even
try to pass off the smell of pot smoke as incense or
candles. In some cases, a device called a “toke blower” can
be crafted to try to mask the smell. Marijuana users simply
blow smoke through it in an attempt to disguise the scent of
marijuana smoke. Smokers will also typically open a window
to air out a smoky area. If the suspected pot smoker has an
open window during winter or when the AC is on, chances are
they are attempting to air out the area after recent use.
Clothing will also hold the scent of marijuana smoke. This
smell can be described as musty, musky, of earthy. A
marijuana smoker is aware that their clothing will hold the
smell of smoke and therefore may use excessive body spray or
cologne in an attempt to cover it up.
A pot smoker’s breathe will also hold the smell of marijuana
for some time. Uncharacteristic or excessive teeth brushing,
gum chewing, breath mint popping, etc. can also be a good
sign that the suspected teenager is trying to cover up the
smell of smoke on their breath. Marijuana smoke also adheres
itself to the smoker's hands, or most specifically, the
fingers. The thumb and index finger are usually used in
smoking a joint; therefore these two fingers will retain the
smell long after the joint has been smoked. Hand washing can
usually eliminate the smell. However, unless the pot smoker
focuses on the fingers, the smell will remain long after
typical hand washing.
It’s in the eyes...
A person under the influence of marijuana will most likely
have red, swollen, bloodshot, irritated, or glassy eyes. The
red eyes, also know to pot smokers as "chinese eyed"
or "chink eyed", can
temporarily be covered up with Visine or similar medicated
eye drops (also known as "white eye"). Although the eye
drops may relieve the smoker of irritated red eyes, it will
not be able to remove the glassy eyed, glazed over look in a
teenagers eyes due to recent use. Some smokers prefer to
wear sunglasses to hide their eyes, so wearing sunglasses
indoors and/or at unusual times should be viewed as a red
flag.
Residue
When smoked, marijuana leaves a tar-like residue behind
commonly known as "resin". In some cases, the resin may
leave fingers and or lips and teeth with a yellowish, brown
tar-like stain. If resin comes in contact with clothing, it
will not wash out. Attempting to wipe off resin stained
clothing can result in a smear that’s easily detected.
Attempting to wash clothing may also result in the transfer
of resin to other clothing in your machine. The presence of
resin is another sign that’s difficult to conceal.
Money
Money or the lack of money is a common issue affecting your
average teenager. However, if your kid is asking for more
money than usual or has been spending quite a bit of their
own money with nothing really to show for it, there may be a
marijuana problem at the heart of their recent spending
spree. The cost of marijuana is relatively inexpensive to a
working adult. However, to a kid attending middle school or
high school, the cost of getting high is not cheap. The
following is a breakdown of the quantities and estimated
costs of purchasing marijuana.
0.5 grams (1 joint) aka a “five” or a “nik” = $5
1 gram (2 joints) aka a “dime” or “ten” = $10
1.5 grams (3 joints) aka a “fifteen” = $15
2 grams (4 joints) aka a “twenty” = $20
3.5 grams or 1/8 ounce (4-6 joints) aka an “1/8”, “eighter”
or “small” = $25-30
7 grams or ¼ ounce aka a “quarter” = $45-60
14 grams or ½ ounce aka a “half” or “half an O” = $80-120
28 grams or an ounce aka an “ounce”, “O” or “whole” =
$180-240
Obviously higher quantities can be purchased for much higher
costs. Chances are however, that unless your child had
access to large amounts of money, the list above should
cover the bulk of their purchases.
Munchies/Dry Mouth
The hungry feeling that usually accompanies getting high is
referred to as “having the munchies”. If your kid starts
eating unusually large amounts of food at odd times you may
want to check into it. Occasionally pot smokers will get
strange cravings for food they rarely eat when not under the
influence. Dry mouth is also common after smoking pot. A
person who has just smoked will typically have a beverage
nearby.
Phones/Friends
A kid who has started smoking pot needs a place to get it
from. You may notice that your child is taking more phone
calls, many in private. New friends may or may not appear.
Friends and acquaintances may stop by for short periods of
time and leave (just enough time for a drug deal). Your
child may start taking more rides with friends, giving you
brief, false explanations as to where they have been. Their
time away from home becomes more and more unaccounted for.
Also be wary if after returning home, your child heads
straight to their room without stopping to speak to anyone,
and stays there (hiding) for a considerable amount of time.
Look for the Signs
Many of the signs listed above can certainly apply to any
teenager. The teenage years with their raging hormones and
bodily changes can certainly account for some of the
suggested red flags listed above. As a parent, your best
defense is to stay involved in your child’s life. Be honest
with them. Know who
their friends are. Know where they are when they go at night. Above all,
be observant at all times and look for many of the signs
that your kid could be smoking pot. If your kid exhibits
several of the signs listed above, it may be time for an
impromptu search or at a bare minimum a frank discussion.