The results of a study that estimated the prevalence nationally of marijuana use with electronic cigarettes among middle and high school students in the United States were recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics.

Close to 9 percent of the more than 20,000 youths between the ages of 9 and 19 in the study reported having used marijuana in vaped form in 2016.

This is approximately 1 in every 11 youths. Among those reporting were 5,200 children and teenagers who said they had tried vaping marijuana at least once. The lead researcher, Dr. Katrina Trivers of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, commented, "Smoke from cannabis contains many of the same toxins, irritants, and carcinogens as tobacco smoke."

E-cigarettes had some promise to become a bridge for nicotine/cigarette cessation, but this has proven not to be the case and the harm to youth is evident.

The Centers for Disease Control has reported an alarming increase in the use of electronic cigarettes among adolescents and teenagers. Part of the appeal is the flavoring of electronic cigarettes, including marijuana products.

Further, companies are targeting youth using the appeal of limited detection. An example is the product JUUL, which can be as small as flash drive.

The company describes the product, "With its unique satisfaction profile, simple interface, flavor variety and lack of lingering smell, JUUL stands out as the vapor alternative."

The devices are easily obtained through internet purchase. The vaping pen looks like a simple flash drive and thus indistinguishable from a technology allowed in schools and on campuses. The cartridges that are filled with liquid nicotine can be refilled with liquid cannabis products.

Mike Gimble, a recognized substance abuse consultant, commented on the vaping pens, "It's very easy to hide, and what they do is, they take the little cartridges that are full of liquid nicotine and they replace it with liquid marijuana. There is no odor, so users can smoke it anywhere without anyone knowing what's inside."

Gimble went on to comment further, “Most adults don't recognize it, but it's the hot new thing for teens. (The teens) all know about it. The people that don't know about it are the parents and faculty, and that's why we need to bring these adults up on what these kids are doing to hide it, what they're doing to use it, when they're using it.”

While some flavored cannabis products used for vaping have some of the traditional tastes of marijuana plant products, additives can give the product flavors that are more appealing to teens, such as cherry or other fruit flavors. Not only is the marijuana not good for developing brains, but the flavor additives are harmful to the lungs of young and old alike.

The trend in vaping marijuana products may prove to be a serious threat to the youth of the United States.