Why is cannabis consumption restricted to adults?
Highlights:
- Research shows the brain is not fully developed until around age 25, so youth are especially vulnerable to the effects of cannabis on brain development and function.
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis affects the same biological system that directs brain development.
- British Columbia’s Cannabis Control and Licensing Act sets 19 as the legal age at which adults can purchase and consume cannabis in the province.
British Columbia’s Cannabis Control and Licensing Act sets 19 as the legal age at which adults can purchase and consume cannabis in the province. In line with the minimum age for liquor, anyone 19 or older may visit BC Cannabis Stores or purchase adult-use cannabis online.
The government has chosen 19 as part of a larger mandate to protect youth and minors, by passing legislation that highlights socially responsible cannabis consumption and by launching initiatives to reduce the impact of the illicit market. Federally, the minimum age for cannabis consumption is 18 and some provinces and territories have adopted this age, keeping in line with their local liquor age of majority.
According to Health Canada, the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis affects the same biological system in the brain that directs brain development. Research shows the brain is not fully developed until around age 25, so youth are especially vulnerable to the effects of cannabis on brain function. Other research suggests that cannabis consumption has been associated with an increased potential for harm when it begins early in adolescence, including the potential for the early onset of addiction or other social issues.
Protecting minors
When establishing the Cannabis Act the Government of Canada considered the known health risks of cannabis alongside the reality that Canadian youth and young adults already consume cannabis at rates that are among the highest in the world. It was thought that setting a limit that is too high would continue to encourage young adults to seek out cannabis on the illegal market. To address this, legislation was passed to restrict access to cannabis solely to adults over the age of majority. This is balanced by federal and provincial programs that promote responsible use by adults, alongside educational campaigns that will allow minors to make the right choice at the right time.
Unlike alcohol, which may be shared at home with minors with appropriate supervision, it is illegal to share cannabis with anyone under the age of 19.