Cannabis and Youth

It is riskier to use cannabis if you're under 25 because the brain continues to develop until around that age. The earlier youth start consuming cannabis, the greater the harm it can do to their brain development.

How does cannabis use affect the health of youth and young adults?

Short term effects:

Cannabis impairs coordination and slows reaction time shortly after use. Using cannabis and driving increases the risk of having a car accident which can result in serious injuries or death.
Makes it difficult for youth to learn and remember things.
Affects mood and feelings which can make youth feel very anxious, panicked, sad, and fearful.
Negatively affects mental health and can trigger a psychotic episode (not knowing what is real, experiencing paranoia, having disorganized thoughts, and in some cases having hallucinations).

Longer term effects:

Youth and young adults that consume cannabis frequently (daily or near daily) and over a long time have an increased risk of mental health problems including anxiety and depression.
Cannabis smoke can damage the lungs as it contains many of the same harmful substances as tobacco smoke.
Frequently using cannabis can lead to addiction. This can negatively impact various aspects of everyday life including school performance, relationships with family and friends, extra- curricular activities, etc.

Parent/Guardian Resources

It's important to start the conversation as early as possible and have ongoing conversations about drugs (cannabis and others) with your kids. Being open and talking often about drugs will help your kids make informed decisions. The Cannabis Talk Kit can help families navigate through a changing cannabis landscape (Parler cannabis - savoir discuter avec son ado).

This info-sheet can also provide more information about cannabis to parents/guardians and caregivers of youth in grades 5 to 12.

Teaching Resources

Educators can find a variety of classroom resources in English and French to support student learning related to cannabis and substance use. There are additional resources and apps available through the lending library.

Where can I go for help?

If you are worried about yourself or someone you know, there are places that can help.

For adults:

For children and youth:

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