Hello my luvs! The world is changing fast, and with more states legalizing cannabis, it's easy for the lines to get blurred. But honey, we need to be crystal clear: Legality doesn’t mean safety. Just because something becomes legal doesn't automatically make it harmless, especially for young, developing bodies and minds. That's the truth we need to understand and communicate with our babies.

You know I'm all about celebrating freedom and growth, but sometimes, true freedom comes from understanding the full picture. With cannabis becoming more accessible, there's a whisper that it's "no big deal." But when it comes to our youth, that whisper can hide a roar of serious consequences, especially for their precious minds. Even right here in North Carolina, where 16.5% of adults report cannabis use, ranking us 46th in the nation, the loudest alarms are sounding for our younger generation.

I recently connected with Dr. Elizabeth Walton, Clinical Director at Risas Dental Kids, and her insights are chilling. She states it plain: "The biggest danger is thinking it’s no big deal. For kids — it is." And she's not just talking about teeth.

This, my luvs, is where my biggest worry sits. Dr. Walton has said: "When young brains get desensitized to natural feel-good chemicals, they start chasing highs - and that can spiral fast."

Think about that! Young brains aren't fully developed until our mid-20s. When THC, the active compound in cannabis, binds to receptors in a still-wiring brain, it can permanently alter its reward system. This desensitization can block those beautiful, natural endorphins – our brain's very own feel-good chemicals. What follows? Emotional numbness, and a desperate chase for external highs, leading to dependence on substances just to feel normal.

Dr. Walton keeps it 100: "I’ve lost friends to overdose who started with weed. When they couldn’t get high anymore, they moved on to harder substances. That’s how quickly it can spiral." And like many of us, I personally can relate at my big age. The mental health impact, she warns, is usually more devastating than the physical. Early cannabis use significantly increases the risk of mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and even suicidal ideation for our young ones.

While the mental toll is what truly matters most, let's not forget the body. That popular image of munchies has a real consequence. "Weed causes dry mouth, which removes your body’s natural protection against cavities," Dr. Walton explains. Combine that with sugary snacks and potentially poor hygiene, and you’ve got a recipe for rapid tooth decay, enamel erosion, and gum disease. So, even the "lesser" risks are still major problems. Baby listen, if you know like I know, dental work is very expensive and even inaccessible for many! Remember back in the day we all wanted to be like Debbie (Nia Long) in Friday? And let's not forget what Craig's mom said about her: "She got all her teeth!" The alternative? Honey, once those natural teeth are gone, it's a definite "Bye Felicia!" to your easy smile and hello to some serious bills.

The data doesn't lie, my luvs. Marijuana use is disproportionately high among younger Americans:

This shows that the perception of safety, particularly driven by increased legality, is influencing behavior, not necessarily policy. Our youth are facing the highest risk.

So, what does this mean for us, for our families, for our community? It means we need to empower ourselves and our young people with truth.

Let's have these honest conversations, my luvs. Let's protect our minds, our bodies, our babies, and their precious futures. Your well-being is everything.

Stay Rooted & Radiant, and make informed choices for a brighter tomorrow.

Babydoll