As parents, we’re always doing our best to keep our kids safe and healthy, but new trends in substance use can make it challenging. While many of us know how important it is to stay connected to our kids and to invite open conversations, it can be difficult in a world that seems to shift so rapidly, with new drugs seeming to pop up overnight. While most of us are familiar with substances like alcohol, cannabis and nicotine, even those products are now coming in new and more discrete forms. It’s a lot to keep track of.
We’re here today to shine some light on a few newer products that have made their way to Marin County. We’ll also take a look at more established products and explore their various forms, how kids are getting access to them, and most importantly, how we can help.
As you read, we hope you’re able to take a breath and remember: if you’re here, you’re already ahead of the game. It is so easy to feel overwhelmed, but in this case, knowledge really is power, and we’re here to help you gain all the knowledge you need to tackle this stuff along with your kids. We’ve also added a section on How to Talk to your kids, so you’ll be ready to put that knowledge into action!
We’re so glad you’re here and you’re showing up. Let's get into it!
New Substances Gaining Popularity
“Magic” Mushroom Products
So called “magic” mushrooms, with psilocybin or other psychedelic compounds, have been around for a long time, but what’s new is how these mushroom-derived hallucinogenic substances are showing up in convenience stores disguised as everyday products like chocolate bars and gummies. Because psilocybin is illegal, most of the products seen in stores (again in some small grocery markets, liquor stores and smoke shops) are labeled as “Amanita” mushrooms or “mushroom blends”. Packaged to appeal to younger crowds (for example with bright colors and cartoon-like images of rocket ships and astronauts, pictured here), these products can lead to hallucinations, panic attacks, and unpredictable emotional reactions. Kids may be drawn to the attractive packaging and novelty of these products or think they’re safer than other drugs because they’re “natural.” The truth is, the long-term effects of early exposure to hallucinogens are still unknown. But we do know that there have been some devastating cases linked to adverse reactions like delusions and psychotic incidents and accidents as a result..
Check out our blog Why We Need to Know About Psychedelics to learn more.
Kratom
Kratom is extracted from a tropical plant and manufactured into various concentrated forms. It is often marketed as a “natural” remedy for anxiety or insomnia, to enhance focus and performance (such as studying, test taking, athletic activity and even video gaming) and pain relief.It has both stimulant and sedative effects depending on the dose, but the real concern is that it interacts with the brain’s opioid receptors, making it potentially very addictive. While Kratom is marketed as a harmless alternative to alcohol or stronger drugs, Kratom can cause side effects such as seizures, hallucinations, and dependency. It sometimes isn’t even listed as an ingredient in beverages or liquid shots. Kratom is legal but unregulated. Kids may find it in gas stations, grocery markets, convenience stores, liquor stores and smoke shops or even order it online, not realizing how risky it can be.
What you should know: Kratom is sold in liquids (shots or gels), capsules, powders, or as teas. Popular brands of liquid shot drinks are Feel Free (which come in small blue bottles pictured here) and MIT 45 shots and gels, also pictured here. Teens might refer to it simply as "herbal supplements" or "leaf."
Pink Cocaine (2C-B)
Despite the name, Pink Cocaine isn’t actually cocaine—it’s a synthetic drug known as 2C-B (often pronounced as “tusi”), which is a powerful hallucinogen composed mostly of ketamine and ecstasy, but can contain many other harmful substances, depending on the batch. It’s often glamorized in party scenes and social media, leading teens to see it as a fun or exciting drug. The reality is, 2C-B can cause severe hallucinations, paranoia, and even fatal overdoses. This drug has recently made headlines after the tragic death of pop star Liam Payne.
What you should know: Pink Cocaine can be packaged in colorful powders or pills, making it appealing but highly dangerous.
Hemp-Derived Intoxicating Cannabis Products
Hemp-derived intoxicating cannabis products like Delta-8, 9 and 10 and other variants (THCA, HHC, and an “alphabet soup” of variant cannabinoids) have gained popularity. Thanks to legal loopholes, and through “creative chemistry” by a new industry, there has been an explosion of unregulated intoxicating synthetic cannabis products, some of which are more potent than traditional marijuana with Delta-9 THC (it’s main intoxicating ingredient). Hemp products are marketed as legal, with somesuch as Delta-8, being marketed as a less potent “cannabis light”. They can be found in various forms, including gummies, flavored vapes and syrups and canned beverages. Their safety and effects are not well-studied, and can result in extreme impairment and other negative effects. Many kids are drawn to Delta-8 and other hemp-derived products due to their perceived safety, cheaper pricing and availability, especially in states where cannabis remains illegal. Because these hemp products have been so poorly regulated with no legal minimum age requirements (technically a 10 year old can purchase), last month Governor Gavin Newsom announced a temporary emergency ban of intoxicating hemp edibles (inhalable products like vapes and pre-rolls were already illegal, yet widely available due to lacking enforcement). It is still unknown how the hemp industry will play out, but be aware that these products may still be on the shelves of your local gas station, grocery market, liquor store or smoke shop (not to mention friendly drug dealer).
What you should know: These products may be labeled simply as THC or Hemp or “Delta-8” THCA, HHC, etc. Knowthat these products can still have a highly intoxicating effect, and the lacking regulation means their potency and safety is unknown.
Check out our blog Psychoactive Hemp Products: What You Need to Know to learn more.
Established Substances: What We Already Know
While emerging substances like Kratom, Magic Mushroom products, Intoxicating Hemp and Pink Cocaine are worrying, it’s important not to lose sight of the more familiar substances that are still common among teens. Alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine continue to pose significant risks, especially with the variety of forms they come in today.
Alcohol
Alcohol remains one of the most widely used substances among teens, and it’s becoming increasingly easy for them to access through social gatherings, older friends, or even in some homes. While many parents are under the false notion that allowing kids to drink at home is safer, we now know that kids who are allowed to drink at home are more likely to do risky things, like binge-drink and drive drunk, when in other settings. (You can check out the research about why it’s important to limit access here.)
To learn more about current trend in alcohol, take a look at our blog What The Youth Are Drinking
Slang to listen for: Teens might refer to alcohol as “booze,” “brew,” or “juice.” Watch for mention of "getting lit" or "pre-gaming," which suggests drinking before an event.
Cannabis
Cannabis has evolved well beyond traditional joints, pipes and bongs. With legalization in many areas, THC—the psychoactive component in cannabis—can now be found in edibles, vapes, and concentrates like oils and waxes and pre-rolls. These new forms are often much stronger than what was available in the past, with THC potency in “flower” up to 35% and concentrates up to 99% THC. This has lead to more intense effects, serious health harms and higher risks of dependency, especially the younger the age of onset of use. . Because of today’s high potency cannabis, recent data indicates that 1 in 5 users will develop a cannabis use disorder and these numbers are higher for youth with developing brains who are more susceptible to addiciton.
You can learn more about Cannabis and Mental Health here.
Slang to listen for: Cannabis may be called “weed,” “tree” or “420”. Older terms are“pot,” “grass,” “bud” or “Mary Jane”. Edibles are often called “gummies” or “cookies,” while vaping devices might be referred to as “pens”, “dab pens”, or “carts” (short for cartridges).
Nicotine (Including Vapes and Zyn Pouches)
Nicotine use has shifted dramatically with the rise of vaping and nicotine pouches like Zyn, making it more discreet and appealing to teens. Vaping devices come in a variety of flavors, often masked by fruity or candy-like scents, making them harder to detect. Meanwhile, nicotine pouches are small, odorless, and don’t require any smoking, making them easy to use in places where traditional cigarettes wouldn’t be allowed.
The flavors, taste and smell, convenience and discrete nature of these products lead many teens to believe they’re harmless. However, vaping and nicotine pouches still deliver high doses of nicotine, leading to addiction, increased heart rate, and lung damage.
For a closer look at how nicotine products affect teens, check out our last Let’s Talk Discussion, featuring Stanford’s Dr. Bonnie Halpern-Felsher.
Slang to listen for: Vapes might be called “pens” or “juuls,” while nicotine pouches are often referred to simply as “pouches” or by brand names like “Zyn” or “on!”.
How to Talk to Your Teen
Now that you know what to look for, the next step is having open, honest conversations with your teen. Start from a place of curiosity, asking them what they’ve heard about these substances—don’t assume they already know everything or that they aren’t exposed to it. Create a safe space for them to ask questions or share what they’re seeing in their friend groups or online.
Here are a few tips for navigating these conversations:
Stay Calm, Non-judgemental and Open: Your goal is to inform guide and above all listen, not to scare or lecture. When your teen feels like they can talk to you without judgment, they’re more likely to be truthful and open with you and come to you with questions and concerns in the future.
Be Clear About the Risks: Explain why these substances may be dangerous, even if they seem harmless at first glance. Use real-world examples (like the dangers of Pink Cocaine or how today’s vapes and edibles are stronger than they appear) to make your point.
Offer Alternatives: Encourage your teen to find healthier outlets for stress, anxiety, or social pressures. Whether it’s through sports, hobbies, or mindfulness practices, helping them find positive coping mechanisms can reduce the temptation to turn to substances.
Substance use trends are always evolving, and staying informed is key to keeping our kids safe. (Just by being here and staying informed, you are already doing so much!) Whether it’s a new substance like mushroom edibles or a familiar one like nicotine, the more we know, the better we can guide our kids to make healthy, informed choices. With open conversations, a lot of love, and a supportive approach, we can empower them to make the best possible choices!
BTI is one of four programs under the Marin Healthy Youth Partnerships umbrella, each aimed at helping families navigate underage substance use prevention. BTI’s focus is on limiting teen access and creating safe communities for our kids.
To learn more about the role of parent modeling and keeping youth-focused events substance-free, head to Raising the Bar.
To learn more about what is going on for your Teen or Tween, how their brain is developing and how substances affect that, visit the Let’s Talk website.
For tips on how we can all work to shift our daily choices so that we’re supporting ourselves in the healthiest way possible, check out Numb or Nourish.
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