Canadian Paediatric Society review linked adolescent cannabis to brain damage, dependence, mental illness, and declining academic performance
A review from the Canadian Paediatric Society found that adolescent cannabis use causes functional and structural brain changes and is linked to dependence, tobacco initiation, depression, anxiety, psychosis, cognitive decline, and poorer school performance.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Cannabis is the most common illicit drug used by Canadian teenagers. The review found that adolescent cannabis use can cause functional and structural changes to the developing brain, leading to damage. Strong associations were documented with cannabis dependence and other substance use disorders, initiation and maintenance of tobacco smoking, depression, anxiety, psychosis, impaired neurological development, cognitive decline, and diminished school performance and lifetime achievement.
The review also noted that rates of acute medical care and hospitalization for younger children who accidentally ingest cannabis are increasing, adding a pediatric safety dimension.
With Canada debating cannabis regulation at the time of publication, the review emphasized that appropriate safeguards for children and youth are vital public health priorities.
Key Numbers
Cannabis: most common illicit drug among Canadian teenagers. Associations: dependence, tobacco initiation, depression, anxiety, psychosis, cognitive decline, academic underperformance. Accidental pediatric ingestions: increasing.
How They Did This
Clinical review from the Canadian Paediatric Society summarizing evidence on cannabis effects in children and adolescents, published in the context of Canada's upcoming legalization.
Why This Research Matters
This review from a national pediatric society represents the consensus medical view on adolescent cannabis risk. Published just before Canada legalized cannabis, it aimed to ensure that youth protection measures were incorporated into the regulatory framework.
The Bigger Picture
The timing of this review, published as Canada prepared to legalize cannabis, makes it a policy-relevant document. It argues that legalization must include robust protections for youth, including age restrictions, packaging requirements, public education, and treatment resources. Whether Canada's subsequent legalization adequately addressed these concerns remains debated.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Narrative review from a medical society, which may reflect a conservative perspective. Does not provide detailed risk quantification or distinguish between levels of use. May not adequately address potential benefits of reduced criminalization for youth. The review predates legalization outcomes that could validate or challenge its concerns.
Questions This Raises
- ?Did Canadian legalization include adequate youth protections?
- ?Have youth cannabis use rates changed since legalization?
- ?Would harm reduction approaches be more effective than abstinence-focused messaging for adolescents?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Adolescent cannabis: linked to brain damage, dependence, psychosis, and academic decline
- Evidence Grade:
- Policy-relevant review from a national medical society. Provides a strong summary of pediatric concerns but represents a particular perspective on the evidence.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2017, just before Canada legalized cannabis in 2018. Post-legalization data has since become available.
- Original Title:
- Cannabis and Canada's children and youth.
- Published In:
- Paediatrics & child health, 22(2), 98-102 (2017)
- Authors:
- Grant, Christina N, Bélanger, Richard E(2)
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01389
Evidence Hierarchy
Summarizes existing research on a topic.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Is cannabis particularly harmful for teenagers?
The review argues yes, because the adolescent brain is still developing. Cannabis use during this period can cause structural and functional changes that may be more persistent than effects in adults. The developing brain appears more vulnerable to THC's effects on cognition, mental health, and neurological function.
Are accidental cannabis ingestions in children increasing?
Yes. The review noted increasing rates of acute medical care and hospitalization for young children who accidentally ingest cannabis products, particularly edibles that can resemble candy or regular food items.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01389APA
Grant, Christina N; Bélanger, Richard E. (2017). Cannabis and Canada's children and youth.. Paediatrics & child health, 22(2), 98-102. https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/pxx017
MLA
Grant, Christina N, et al. "Cannabis and Canada's children and youth.." Paediatrics & child health, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/pxx017
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis and Canada's children and youth." RTHC-01389. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/grant-2017-cannabis-and-canadas-children
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.