I was a public school teacher in Title 1 schools in South Florida and Northern California, primarily teaching 9th grade. Almost every teen I taught was using weed as a coping mechanism, and many parents were too. What are they coping with? There's a significant disconnect between what is taught in schools and what students want for their lives.

Most of them are creatives who want to focus on their passions, but they’re stuck in an educational system that doesn’t support their dreams, often without much support from parents who don't know how to handle the situation since school attendance is legally required. Many students are no longer interested in following the traditional path, and this needs to be addressed.

From my experience, when kids understand the purpose of what they are doing and see how it genuinely benefits their lives—not just for some elusive future safety—they become engaged, thrive, and steer clear of addictions. The same goes for adults. The cycle keeps repeating.