Use of edibles alone jumped 43%, especially in forms like chocolates, sodas, and candies that appeal to youth|Elsa Olofsson|CC BY 2.0
Teen cannabis use rose 26% in Canadian provinces after edibles and extracts became legal in October 2019, a new study published in JAMA Network Open found.
The use of edibles alone jumped 43%, especially in forms like chocolates, sodas, and candies that appeal to youth. Co-use of cannabis and alcohol also rose 28%.
The study surveyed over 106,000 students aged 12–17 and found stable use in Quebec, where edibles remain banned. Despite laws banning cannabis sales to anyone under 18, legalization appears to have reduced the perceived harm among teens.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that early cannabis use can impact brain development, increasing dependency, mental health disorders like depression and anxiety, and risk of schizophrenia.
Researchers urge stronger regulations, public education, and distance requirements for dispensaries to help protect youth from long-term health consequences.
In the US, cannabis is illegal. However, 47 states have legalized it for medical purposes, and 24 allow adult recreational use. The complexity of legality surrounding marijuana in the country makes it challenging to do a comprehensive study of its association with adolescents, experts say.