Marijuana Prevention

Substance use prevention applies to people of all ages and stages of life. The Addictive and Mental Disorders Division (AMDD) is working to provide direction, support and capacity to Prevention Specialists to bring education, prevention, and policies about marijuana to local leaders and their communities. Through coordinated strategies and shared resources, the partnership between prevention partners can accomplish positive outcomes towards maintaining the health and safety of Montana citizens.

These tools provide basic education and overview of marijuana, Montana and federal laws, facts about marijuana, prevention programs and research, talking points, and how marijuana affects pregnant women and their babies, children and teen development. It is critical to share reliable, evidence-based resources and strategies to community-based organizations, government agencies, youth-serving professionals, coalitions, schools, and healthcare. When all organizations are using the same information, it creates a consistency of messaging and direction of youth prevention efforts.

Science has impacted the understanding of how marijuana affects the developing brain and why prevention needs to work to protect the still developing brain. In Montana, parents want what is best for their children, but may not know how to talk to them. These resources provide the knowledge and tools for families, schools, coalitions and community leaders to work together on prevention and gives them the skills to build resilient youth and families.

Goal:  To raise awareness, promote learning, change laws/environment to influence behavior change to benefit individuals and communities to make healthy choices and live healthy lives.

• Objective 1:  Navigate resources and provide tools for local communities.
• Objective 2:  Strengthen knowledge and skills by learning current science, prevention, and response practices.
• Objective 3:  Educate community collaborators by exploring opportunities to strengthen interventions at the individual and community levels.
• Objective 4:  Foster relationships between coalitions and community partners by identifying key stakeholders in the promotion of health and safety.

Target Audience:  Prevention Specialists, community coalitions, government agencies, educators, youth-serving professionals, healthcare professionals, and social services providers.

Topics Covered under Focal Areas:

• Cannabis basic knowledge and legalization
• Marijuana and the developing teen brain
• Driving under the influence of marijuana
• Identification of effective programs, practices and policies
• Parenting - a healthy start

Note: Language Matters. Cannabis, marijuana, medicinal marijuana, and recreational marijuana. Oftentimes the terms are used interchangeably. Proper terminology is important, and people have firm beliefs on which term is the correct term.  Currently, federal partner SAMHSA uses the term “marijuana”.