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Cannabis

Use in young people

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​When you use cannabis under the age of 25, it can change how your brain develops. This can have an effect on how you develop emotionally and socially. Cannabis affects the parts of the brain that control judgment, decision making, and emotions.

Delaying cannabis use until you’re over 25 years old can lower your risk of harmful health effects.

​If you are under 25 and use cannabis regularly, you may:

  • have problems thinking, learning, reasoning, remembering, solving problems, and making decisions
  • be more likely to have anxiety and depression than those who don’t use cannabis
  • have more problems in school, relationships, and work

Using cannabis could also get in the way of your future goals. Young people who use cannabis regularly are less likely to finish high school or get a college degree.

Find out more about the effects of cannabis.



Current as of: July 25, 2023

Author: Addiction and Mental Health, Alberta Health Services