Many youth use marijuana because they think it does no harm. It can often be difficult for parents to get through to their kids that their use of the mind-altering drug can have serious repercussions in their lives.

But marijuana takes away more than interest in previously-enjoyed activities and can cause an addiction that can steal years from life. It can also have long-term damaging effects on mental health and brain development.

That’s why we share with you this handy information-packed graphic from the National Institute On Drug Abuse. It nicely illustrates the long-term damage young people can cause in themselves and what they risk losing in the long term by starting a marijuana-use habit.

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