Talking to Kids About Underage Cannabis Use

As kids head back to school – virtually or in classrooms – we thought it would be a good idea to share some ways in which parents can talk to their kids about responsible cannabis use, keeping in mind that underage use of cannabis is prohibited.

Your words do make a difference when it comes to youth and marijuana. Youth who have an adult they can talk to are less likely to use marijuana, so follow these tips and start the conversation now:

Set rules
Make your rules about marijuana clear and stick to them. By letting your child know what will happen if they don’t follow the rules, they’ll be more inclined to make responsible decisions. Youth with clear family rules about alcohol and drug use are less likely to use marijuana underage than those without clear rules.‍

Be a good listener
Make sure you’re not talking over or down to your child. When you allow youth to be heard, they’re more likely to hear what you have to say.‍

Focus on the good
Encourage young people to make decisions that help them achieve their goals and explain how marijuana can get in the way of those goals.‍

Tell them your opinions
Even if you use marijuana, tell youth how you feel about underage marijuana use. If you’re open about it, be clear about why you use marijuana and why you think they shouldn’t yet. Remember that your words have power — youth who know you’re against underage marijuana use are less likely to use it.‍

Keep the conversation going
The first talk should not be the only talk. Their friends, interests, and activities are changing all the time, so it’s important to communicate often about how marijuana can impact their life.