In 2017, 18% of Ottawa students in Grades 7 to 12 reported using cannabis in the past year, which is similar to students in the rest of Ontario (19%). Use in the past year use has not significantly changed in Ottawa since 2009. [2]
Preliminary reporting released by the BC Coroners Service confirms that toxic, unregulated drugs claimed the lives of at least 2,511 people in British Columbia in 2023, the largest number of drug-related deaths ever reported to the agency.
Brain development isn’t complete until age 25. For the best chance to reach their full potential, youth shouldn’t use marijuana.
Youth who use marijuana regularly are more likely to have a hard time learning, problems remembering, and lower math and reading scores. These effects can last weeks after the last time they used marijuana.
Marijuana is addictive. It’s harder to stop using marijuana if started at a young age.
Youth who start using marijuana, alcohol or other drugs may be more likely to continue using later in life.
Youth who use marijuana are more likely to have suicidal thoughts, or to attempt suicide.