Cannabis

Cannabis

It is important for youth to be informed of what is known about the harms of cannabis as cannabis use during adolescence can increase the risk of negative health outcomes and social harm.

Smoking and Vaping

Educating youth about substance use is important to help them develop skills and knowledge to make healthier choices. Even though vaping is considered to be less harmful than smoking, there are still risks for youth to consider.

Why is cannabis a concern for youth?

In Ontario cannabis is legal for those over the age of 19, but is illegal for anyone under that age. This means that under-age users will turn to the black market, or “street” products. These products are not regulated or checked by anyone, and can contain substances other than cannabis. In many cases, street cannabis has been found to include many other drugs such as cocaine and fentanyl, which can put them at high risk of overdose.

Why do youth use cannabis?

One of the main reasons youth and teens will use a substance is peer pressure. It’s important to know that peer pressure can be in different forms. In some cases, it may result from their peers directly telling them they “should” use cannabis, or “must” use cannabis to fit in.