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Youth

The Harsh Reality of Cannabis Use Among Teens: A Misunderstood Threat

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Cannabis has been legalized in Canada for six years, with over 3,600 stores opening to meet the demand. However, what teens believe about cannabis is a far cry from its harsher truth - it's become far more addicting over time. The average THC potency in dried cannabis has skyrocketed from one per cent in the 1960s to 15 per cent today, with some forms reaching as high as 38 per cent.

Teenagers are especially vulnerable to the effects of cannabis due to the brain's critical development during adolescence. The higher the THC content, the more significant the risks to mental health, including anxiety, depression, insomnia, and ADHD. The normalization of cannabis use has led to an increase in teen users, with 26 per cent more teens using it within four years of legalization. A staggering 34 per cent more teens reported smoking cannabis since legalization.

Key Takeaways:

  • The average THC potency in dried cannabis has skyrocketed from one per cent in the 1960s to 15 per cent today.
  • Over 3,600 cannabis stores have opened in Canada within six years of its legalization.
  • Teens are especially vulnerable to the effects of cannabis due to the brain's critical development during adolescence.
  • The normalization of cannabis use has led to an increase in teen users, with 26 per cent more teens using it within four years of legalization.
  • The high THC content in cannabis poses serious risks to mental health, including anxiety, depression, insomnia, and ADHD.
  • A staggering 34 per cent more teens reported smoking cannabis since legalization.
  • The number of teens using cannabis oil cartridges or disposable vape pens nearly doubled in the five years cannabis has been legalized.
  • Nearly one-in-three teens currently report vaping.
  • Teens also report consuming 43 per cent more "youth-friendly" edibles, which are at an especially high risk of overdose.
  • Cannabis poisoning in young children shot up nine times in Ontario within three years after its legalization.
  • Quebec had the foresight to set its legal age at 21, not 19, resulting in a 10 per cent decrease in cannabis use among teens and a 20 per cent decrease in edible use.

Statistics:

  • The average THC potency in dried cannabis has increased from one per cent in the 1960s to 15 per cent today.
  • More than 3,600 cannabis stores have opened in Canada within six years of its legalization.
  • 26 per cent more teens have used cannabis within four years of legalization.
  • 34 per cent more teens have smoked cannabis since legalization.
  • Nearly one-in-three teens (32 per cent) currently report vaping.
  • 43 per cent more teens have consumed "youth-friendly" edibles since legalization.
  • Cannabis poisoning in young children shot up nine times in Ontario within three years after its legalization.

Sources:

  • [1] Iris Gorfinkel, "The Harsh Reality of Cannabis Use Among Teens," The Toronto Star, 2023.
  • [2] Health Canada, "Youth and Cannabis Use," 2022.
  • [3] Government of Canada, "Cannabis Laws and Regulations," 2022.
  • [4] Justin Tang/The Canadian Press file photo.

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