On Jan. 1, 2014, marijuana officially became a legal, recreational drug in Colorado. While only those 21 and older are allowed to buy pot, many rehab facilities are preparing to deal with a new wave of teen users.

The rehab center Adolescent STEP: Substance Abuse Treatment Education & Prevention Program, has doubled its staff since Colorado voters opted to legalize the drug in November. Facility head Dr. Christian Thurstone says modern, high-potency strains of marijuana are particularly problematic for teen users. Not only are the highs more intense, but the potential of becoming addicted also increases. Then there are the health risks.

“Anecdotally, yes, we’re seeing kids in treatment here who have paranoia and seeing things and hearing things that aren’t there,” Thurstone says. “Adolescent exposure to marijuana [raises] risk of permanent psychosis in adulthood.” (ABC News)

Paul Asay has covered religion for The Washington Post, Christianity Today, Beliefnet.com and The (Colorado Springs) Gazette. He writes about culture for Plugged In and wrote the Batman book God on the Streets of Gotham (Tyndale). He lives in Colorado Springs with wife Wendy and his two children. Follow him on Twitter.