(Part 1) Understanding the risks of cannabis use for young people

Young people may choose to use cannabis for a number of reasons. For example, they may use it socially, to relax or to cope with mental health challenges. If you’re using cannabis, it’s important to understand its long-term risks to your brain function and mental health.

Cannabis can impact young people differently. The brain isn’t fully developed until around the age of 25, and research shows that using cannabis before then can harm your brain’s function and development. Using it every day, or most days, can harm your short and long-term memory, thought patterns, focus and speech.

You may have trouble remembering what you just thought or said, have unusual or abnormal thoughts, become distracted, have trouble concentrating and forming sentences or experience delayed speech.

Cannabis use hasn’t been found to improve mental health over time. In fact, daily or near-daily use actually contributes to poor mental health and can lead to dependence. Long-term, it can negatively impact your dopamine system—the part of your brain that gives you feelings of pleasure and joy. This can make you feel fatigued, low in mood and unmotivated.

Long-term use can also raise your tolerance over time, which means you need higher doses more often to feel the same effects. This makes dependence more likely. You may find yourself using it in situations where it can interfere with relationships with family and friends, and daily responsibilities such as school or work.



Tips for reducing your risk when using cannabis. Take some time to reflect on your use and evaluate your relationship with cannabis. There are ways you can lower your risk:

Avoid using it every day or most days. Using cannabis this often can lead to dependence and other mental health problems like anxiety and depression. Reduce how often you use cannabis to lower risks to your health.

Delay using cannabis. Some of the areas of your brain that aren’t fully developed until around the age of 25 include those responsible for emotions, memory and thinking ability. If you're an adolescent or a young adult, your mental health and brain function are at greater risk of harm.

Avoid using high THC products. The higher the THC content of a product, the more likely you are to experience harms related to mental health and brain function. Choose products with lower levels, and start with a small dose. Wait before taking more.

Reducing or stopping cannabis use can reverse some or all of its effects and can help improve your long-term mental health and brain function. Everyone’s response to cannabis and their response to reducing or stopping cannabis can be different.

Seeking support from a loved one or a healthcare professional can help. You can learn more at canada.ca/cannabis as well as watch a personal story below.