Cannabis: What Parents Need to Know

Join us for an evening for caregivers about the research, trends, and products related to the cannabis to help have conversations with kids. Cannabis in the US and Vermont has been changing rapidly in the last decade. There are new laws, new language, TONS of new research about health risks, a growing list of cannabis products, and increasing potency of cannabis with THC. It can be hard to navigate it all, yet the chances of our kids encountering cannabis in their tweens and teens have increased. Teens and young adults suffer more negative impacts from use, including increased risk of mental health issues, and lowered academic and career success. ParentIN Burlington and the Burlington School District are inviting caregivers and community members in Burlington to join them to hear about the research, trends, and myths related to cannabis use and talk about strategies that will leave caregivers feeling more prepared and comfortable to talk about these issues with their kids and with other adults. PROGRAM: 5:30 - 6:00pm Light Dinner & Connection 6:00-7:00pm Presentation & Questions 7:00-7:30pm Discussion -------------------------- About the speaker: Tom Fontana is the Alcohol, Cannabis, and Other Drugs Initiatives Manager for the University of Vermont. He coordinates prevention, education, and the brief intervention model, BASICS, which is designed to assist students in exploring their relationship with substance use in a shame-free environment. He has worked for decades to support students individually, as well as part of student groups and athletics, around substance use issues. Tom is author of the ‘T-Break Guide’, a free resource to help people take a tolerance break from cannabis. He has been Principal Investigator of a research study seeking to gauge the effectiveness of cannabis harm reduction resources.