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Laws and youth

  • It’s illegal for anyone under age 21 to buy, possess, or use retail cannabis.
    • Retail stores can lose their license for selling cannabis to anyone underage, and adults may be charged with a felony for giving cannabis products to someone underage. 
  • It’s illegal to have retail cannabis on school property.
    • Students caught with cannabis at school may have to take drug counseling, be kicked off sports teams, or be suspended, expelled, or charged with breaking the law.
    • Adults may face civil or criminal penalties.
    • The laws are different for medical cannabis.
  • Youth caught trying to buy, carry, sell, or use cannabis can face a minor-in-possession charge.
    • This can result in fines, public service, education, intervention, loss of a driver’s license, and misdemeanor or felony charges.
  • People under age 21 can face charges that have a lasting impact.
    • Since cannabis is federally illegal, youth with cannabis charges may be denied financial aid to help pay for college. 
  • As of July 1, 2023, drug convictions no longer affect financial aid eligibility. For more information on this change, visit the Federal Student Aid website.
 

More information

  • Read about the health effects of cannabis on youth and the importance of safely storing cannabis products to prevent youth use.
  • It’s important to talk about cannabis with youth early and often to answer their questions about cannabis and connect with them on their goals.
  • Download shareable resources about youth and cannabis, tips for parents, and tips for youth-serving professionals.