Choose safety first.
Avoid using cannabis and other intoxicating substances. Don't drive or ride with an impaired driver. If you feel pressured, leave the situation or reach out to someone you trust.
For young people, families and caregivers · Always free
Cannabis and young people. You deserve the facts—and support.
If you're under the legal cannabis age, the clearest health advice is not to use cannabis. If you've already used it or you're worried about someone else, you're not alone and you can ask for help.
My LPC membership is restricted by provincial and territorial legal age. This page and other public-health education are available without an account.
Why the recommendation is to avoid use
Any cannabis use carries some risk. Earlier use increases concern.
The brain continues developing into young adulthood. Cannabis can affect attention, learning, memory and decision-making. Starting younger, using more often and choosing high-THC products are linked with greater risks of dependence and mental-health problems, including psychosis in susceptible people.
Personal or family history of psychosis, schizophrenia or substance-use problems can increase vulnerability. The safest recommendation for youth is to avoid cannabis, including smoking, vaping, edibles and concentrates.
This does not mean a single exposure automatically causes permanent damage in every person. Effects and long-term outcomes vary. It does mean there is no risk-free youth cannabis use, and delaying or avoiding use protects health.
Health Canada: facts for ages 13–17 ↗Small, practical next steps
What you can do today.
Say what you're experiencing.
If you're using regularly or find it difficult to stop, tell a healthcare professional or counsellor about your use, mood, sleep and concerns. You do not need a diagnosis to ask for support.
Ask for confidential help.
You can speak with Kids Help Phone in Canada. A trained person can listen, help you think through choices and connect you with services. Ask the service about its confidentiality limits if you're concerned.
Real people. Real help.
You aren't excluded from getting support.
Kids Help Phone
Call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868 for confidential support, 24/7.
Find ways to connect ↗Mental-health crisis support
If you're thinking about suicide or worried about someone who is, call or text 988 in Canada, 24/7. For immediate physical danger, call 911.
Government of Canada: crisis resources ↗Substance-use support
Health Canada provides confidential, community and provincial resources for substance-use concerns. You can reach out even if you are unsure what help you need.
Find help in your region ↗Severe confusion, hallucinations, chest pain, trouble breathing, repeated vomiting with dehydration or loss of consciousness require urgent medical assessment. Emergency help matters more than concerns about disclosing cannabis use.
Check the original evidence.
This information is independent of cannabis producers and commercial listings. A legal age is not a declaration that cannabis is safe at that age: Canadian public-health guidance recommends delaying use while the brain is developing.
Explore public cannabis education →