Doctors at Children’s National Hospital say they are seeing more young patients struggling with cannabis use disorder, including children as young as 11. Many teens tell doctors, cannabis products are easy to find, often through friends or local sources.
Dr. Siva Kaliamurthy, an addiction psychiatrist at the hospital, says the trend has become more visible in recent months. “I had one particular patient of mine who said, ‘I just have to open my eyes and I can find it,’” he said.
Cannabis Use Disorder Appearing in Younger Patients
Doctors say cannabis use disorder is appearing more often among younger patients who are still in middle school. The hospital’s addiction program has reported a steady increase over the past year and a half, with many cases involving daily cannabis use.
Symptoms can appear gradually, which sometimes makes the disorder difficult for families to recognize early. Doctors report memory problems, confusion, sleep disruption and sudden behavior changes among young patients. Some also experience anxiety, hallucinations or episodes of psychosis.
National research shows the condition is not rare. A Cleveland Clinic analysis found nearly 6% of people age 12 and older experienced cannabis use disorder within a single year, a figure pediatric specialists say deserves careful attention.
Doctors Say Cannabis Products Are Easy for Teens to Access
Doctors say many young patients describe cannabis products as something they can obtain without much effort. Vape cartridges and other concentrated forms circulate widely among teens. Some children report purchasing them directly, while others receive them through friends.
Dr. Siva Kaliamurthy says the comments he hears from patients often sound almost casual, which worries specialists who treat addiction. “All the kids that we are seeing are typically using high-potency products daily,” he said during a recent interview.
He added that frequent use often continues even when clear warning signs appear in a child’s life. Some patients face school discipline or conflicts at home. Yet the pattern of cannabis use continues, a sign doctors say requires careful intervention.
Health Effects Doctors Are Seeing in Young Patients
Doctors say long-term cannabis use can lead to medical problems that surprise many families. One condition they are seeing more often is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, which causes repeated vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite and intense nausea.
Many patients eventually learn that hot baths or showers temporarily ease those symptoms, something doctors say is a common pattern in this syndrome. The relief is short-lived though, and the cycle of vomiting and dehydration often brings young patients back to emergency care.
Treatment remains difficult because there is currently no medication that directly treats cannabis use disorder. Dr. Siva Kaliamurthy says doctors rely on therapy and family support. “We often rely on behavioral interventions,” he said, stressing that treatment must involve both patients and families.
Endnote
The conversation around youth cannabis use is becoming more complex as legalization expands and stronger products circulate in many communities. Pediatric specialists say awareness among parents, schools and health providers will likely play a bigger role in prevention efforts moving forward.
Doctors also stress that early conversations about substance use remain one of the most practical tools families have. Dr. Siva Kaliamurthy urges parents to stay informed about cannabis effects and talk openly with children before problems appear.