Laws and youth

• It’s illegal for anyone under age 21 to buy, possess or use retail marijuana.
  • Retail stores can lose their license for selling marijuana to anyone underage, and adults may be charged with a felony for giving marijuana products to someone underage. 
• It’s illegal to have retail marijuana on school property.
  • Students caught with marijuana 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 marijuana.
• Youth caught trying to buy, carry, sell or use marijuana can face a minor-in-possession charge.
  • This can result in fines, public service, education and 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 marijuana is federally illegal, youth with marijuana 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 marijuana on youth and the importance of safely storing marijuana products to prevent youth use.
• It’s important to talk about marijuana with youth early and often to answer their questions about marijuana and connect with them on their goals.
• Download shareable resources about youth and marijuana, tips for parents and tips for youth-serving professionals.