Keeping cannabis away from youth

Here in BC, you must be 19 years or older to buy, consume, possess, or grow non-medical cannabis. The Government of B.C. has a mandate of keeping cannabis away from youth, specifically minors under the age of 19. For this reason, smoking or vaping cannabis is prohibited in areas where children and youth frequently hang out and play, including parks, sports fields and playgrounds. Consumption of non-medical cannabis (in all forms) is prohibited on K-12 school properties and on adjacent sidewalks and boulevards, in most vehicles, and on boats while being operated.

BC Cannabis Stores works with the Province to ensure that youth under the age of 19 can not access cannabis. Youth under 19 years of age are not permitted in cannabis stores or to access BCCannabisStores.com. It is an offence to sell or supply non-medical cannabis to individuals under the age of 19. All packaging and labelling for cannabis is regulated by the federal government. Strict limits on the look and feel of packaging are intended to make it less appealing to youth.

If you’re between the ages of 19 and 25, when it comes to cannabis consumption you may have cause to pause, as the brain continues to develop until around age 25 and emerging evidence suggests that THC affects the biological system in the brain that directs brain development. This emerging evidence suggests that starting to consume cannabis at a young age may increase the risk of affecting the developing brain.  Initiating use later in life may help to lower these risks. Emerging evidence also suggests that more frequent and heavy consumption may increase the risk of negative effects on physical and mental well-being for some users, even beyond the age of 25.