1 00:00:02,600 --> 00:00:05,000 HARI SREENIVASAN: Finally tonight: With marijuana legal in some form in 26 states and the District 2 00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:08,400 of Columbia, many of our kids have questions about pot. 3 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:13,400 RAND Corporation behavioral scientist Elizabeth D'Amico offers her humble opinion on how to 4 00:00:14,533 --> 00:00:16,566 answer their queries. 5 00:00:16,566 --> 00:00:20,366 ELIZABETH D'AMICO, RAND Corporation: Among family and friends, I'm regarded as the Dear 6 00:00:20,366 --> 00:00:24,166 Abby of adolescent so-called bad behavior. 7 00:00:24,166 --> 00:00:26,133 Here's the reason why. 8 00:00:26,133 --> 00:00:30,200 Because I have researched alcohol and drug use among teens for more than 20 years, and 9 00:00:30,200 --> 00:00:34,800 I'm a parent, people always assume I have devised a foolproof strategy for talking to 10 00:00:34,800 --> 00:00:36,833 kids about such issues. 11 00:00:36,833 --> 00:00:41,100 Lately, I have been fielding a lot of questions about marijuana legalization. 12 00:00:43,066 --> 00:00:46,333 I do feel like I have an edge when it comes to talking to my kids about marijuana. 13 00:00:46,333 --> 00:00:51,133 But, sometimes, it seems like I am sharing information on the fly, as I drive my kids 14 00:00:51,133 --> 00:00:53,300 down a busy L.A. street to school. 15 00:00:53,300 --> 00:00:57,766 Since recreational marijuana was legalized in California last fall, a new billboards 16 00:00:57,766 --> 00:01:02,766 pop up all the time to advertise the fine art of smoking weed and where to buy it. 17 00:01:04,766 --> 00:01:08,566 This leads my kids, 11 and 13, to ask a lot of questions: Why do people smoke marijuana? 18 00:01:10,100 --> 00:01:14,233 It can't be bad if it's legal and they can advertise, right, mom? 19 00:01:14,233 --> 00:01:18,933 As always, it is best to give balanced, honest answers based on facts. 20 00:01:18,933 --> 00:01:21,466 Why do people smoke marijuana? 21 00:01:21,466 --> 00:01:24,433 Some may smoke it for medical reasons, to help with pain. 22 00:01:24,433 --> 00:01:26,800 Others may smoke it recreationally. 23 00:01:26,800 --> 00:01:28,966 Parents might liken it to alcohol. 24 00:01:28,966 --> 00:01:32,100 You know how some people have a glass of wine with dinner to relax? 25 00:01:32,100 --> 00:01:35,133 Now some may smoke pot for the same reason. 26 00:01:35,133 --> 00:01:40,133 But it's also important that your kids know that getting can change their mood and behavior. 27 00:01:42,066 --> 00:01:46,066 And just like alcohol, tell your kids it's illegal to drive after you have smoked pot. 28 00:01:48,100 --> 00:01:51,066 I tell my kids the main reason that marijuana is illegal for those under 21 is because their 29 00:01:51,066 --> 00:01:55,866 brains are still developing, and marijuana can affect their concentration and memory. 30 00:01:55,866 --> 00:01:58,366 It may mean you don't do as well in school. 31 00:01:58,366 --> 00:02:01,433 That can mean fewer opportunities, like getting a good job. 32 00:02:01,433 --> 00:02:06,400 Given this changing legal landscape, my kids and yours are going to be exposed to marijuana 33 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:08,700 as frequently as they are to alcohol. 34 00:02:08,700 --> 00:02:13,700 And now that it's legal, here come the marketing campaigns, which all make smoking pot seem 35 00:02:14,533 --> 00:02:16,600 normal. 36 00:02:16,600 --> 00:02:21,533 And just like alcohol and tobacco ads, marijuana ads may influence their choices. 37 00:02:21,533 --> 00:02:26,533 My own research has shown that middle school kids who reported seeing ads for medical marijuana 38 00:02:27,966 --> 00:02:31,200 were more likely to report smoking pot one year later. 39 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:33,300 You can't just say, don't do it. 40 00:02:33,300 --> 00:02:38,300 But you can get the facts, share them with your kids, and help them make a healthy choice.