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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.