Washington state has launched a youth marijuana prevention program using selfies, which aims to educate 12- to 17-year-olds about the risks of marijuana use on developing brains. (Brennan Linsley, Associated Press file)

Washington state urges kids: ‘Listen2YourSelfie’ and put pot last

SEATTLE — Washington state is starting a new marijuana prevention campaign to educate 12- to 17-year-olds about the risks and consequences of marijuana use. The Washington State Health Department campaign uses “selfies” to demonstrate the health risks associated with using marijuana while brains are still developing.

The “Listen2YourSelfie” campaign encourages young people to put school, sports, extracurricular activities, friends and family ahead of marijuana.

The campaign was paid for with money from Initiative 502, which legalized recreational marijuana in Washington state.

It will include videos and ads on websites, social media, online games and internet radio.

According to the 2014 Healthy Youth Survey, 18 percent of 10th graders report having used marijuana within the past 30 days.