If you ever smoked marijuana -- which I did several decades ago -- you'd really wonder what all the hoopla was about. It's about as "mind-altering" as a couple of glasses of wine, but without the lack of motor coordination. Although it can make you wicked hungry.
However, having said that, I would keep kids away from marijuana and all other "mind altering" substances, including alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco , until they are at least eighteen years old -- preferably 21. (Bribe them if you have to.) Studies show that if you can keep your kids from doing any of these substances until they are at lease 18, they are far less likely to become dependent on any mind-altering substance, ever. The reasons are physiological as well as psychological.
For whatever my word is worth around this joint?
I think you have the right of it.