Is cannabis safe to use? Facts for youth aged 13–17 years

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Organization: Health Canada

Date published: 2018-10-04

Cannabis resource series

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Key messages for youth—13–17 years

In order to protect youth from the health effects of cannabis use, the Cannabis Act restricts access to cannabis. Therefore, there will be no legal means for a young person to obtain cannabis, and possessing it may result in legal consequences, such as a fine or a ticket.

These are a few key facts that young people should be aware of:

Supporting information

For: Medical and public health professionals, parents, educators and other adult influencers

What are the other names for cannabis?

Cannabis is also called marijuana, weed, skunk, pot, herb, ganja, grass, Mary Jane, wax, shatter budder, dabs, and reefer.

What do we know about cannabis use in youth?

In Canada, about one in six (1/6) students in grades 7 to 12 (secondary I to V in Quebec) have reported using cannabis in 2014–2015.Footnote30
It is estimated that Canadian adolescents have among the highest rates of cannabis use compared to their peers in other developed countries.Footnote31

Why do youth use cannabis?

Youth use cannabis for a number of reasons:Footnote32

How does cannabis use affect the health of teens?

Short term effects:

Longer term effects

i.e. regular use of cannabis (daily or almost daily) over a long time (several months or years):

For more information on the effects of cannabis on youth, you can read the following documents:

Briefs available in this series

Is cannabis safe to use? Facts for young adults aged 18–25 years.
Does cannabis use increase the risk of developing psychosis or schizophrenia?
Is cannabis safe during preconception, pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Is cannabis addictive?

References

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