More teens think marijuana is not harmful

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A new federal study says that teenagers' perception of the dangers of marijuana has fallen to the lowest level in more than 20 years.

Some researchers are warning parents that the use of marijuana among teens may increase because teens' perception of the dangers of marijuana has fallen to the lowest level since 1990.

The National Institutes of Health found that 40% of eighth graders believe that occasional use of marijuana is harmful.

That number dropped to 20% when they surveyed 12th graders.

These researchers say that this diminished concern may signal future increases in use, which they say is alarming because people who use marijuana heavily before age 18 could have impaired mental abilities.

But many western Mass. residents told 22News they are not too concerned...

They said it's just part of our changing culture.

“I think that the cultural attitudes have changed. I think that it's around more and people are more aware of it. It's out there. Kids are learning about it at earlier ages, you know,” Tara Pichardo said.

Here in Mass. voters passed a bill that legalized medical marijuana; Colorado and Washington voters recently approved recreational use of marijuana.