Do Legal Edibles Drive Teen Cannabis Use in Canada? It’s Complicated

As Canada continues refining its approach to cannabis regulation, questions around adolescent use remain central to public health discussions. With the legalization of edibles and extracts in late 2019, many parents, educators, and policymakers have asked: Does broader access to these products impact how teens engage with cannabis?

A new peer-reviewed study¹ published in JAMA Network Open aims to shed light on this question. It found a measurable increase in adolescent cannabis use after the legalization of edibles—especially in provinces where “youth-friendly” formats like chocolates and gummies are legal. But the findings do not exist in isolation. Other major studies have found no such rise in youth consumption—and some even suggest declines. So, how do we make sense of it all? Let’s explore the data.

Key Findings of the Study

The 2025 study titled “Legalizing Youth-Friendly Cannabis Edibles and Extracts and Adolescent Cannabis Use,” reviewed survey responses from over 106,000 Canadian students in grades 7 to 11, collected across two time periods: 2018–2019 (before edible legalization) and 2021–2022 (after legalization). Researchers used a differences-in-differences model to compare provinces that permitted edibles and extracts with Quebec, which implemented stricter rules prohibiting cannabis chocolates, candies, desserts, and vapes.

Here are the key takeaways:

• Overall, cannabis use among adolescents increased by 26%.
• Edible use rose by 43%.
• Smoking cannabis increased by 34%.
• Co-use of cannabis and alcohol climbed by 28%.
• Perceived harm of cannabis use among youth declined.
• Availability through peers, family members, or the unregulated market continues to be a primary source. The proportion of teens sourcing cannabis from friends or family increased between 2018 and 2021.

Furthermore, in Quebec, where restrictive product regulations were in place, both overall cannabis smoking and edible consumption decreased among youth during the same period—suggesting a possible link between product type availability and teen behavior.

These findings led researchers to conclude that the legalization of “youth-friendly” cannabis edibles and extracts was associated with higher rates of adolescent use and a reduction in perceived risk.

Limitations of the Study

While the study raises important concerns, several limitations temper its conclusions, including:

• Self-reported data: The findings rely on student self-reporting, which may be influenced by desirability bias—students might underreport or overreport their use.
• Narrow scope of use: The surveys only capture past-year use and not the frequency or intensity of consumption. This limits insight into whether occasional experimentation or regular use has changed.
• Limited post-legalization data: With only one full survey cycle following the legalization of edibles and extracts, the long-term effects remain unclear. Youth behavior may continue to evolve over time, as the surge could be associated with curiosity, novelty, or increased media attention. Long-term trends often show stabilization or even decline, as seen in other studies.

How Does This Compare to Other Studies?

While the JAMA Network Open study raises concerns about increased adolescent cannabis use following the legalization of edibles and extracts, other research offers contrasting perspectives. For instance, a 2024 study published in JAMA Pediatrics—based in the United States—found no significant increase in adolescent cannabis use post-legalization, suggesting that strict age restrictions and public education campaigns may have mitigated potential upticks in youth consumption. Likewise, another U.S.-based study in Drug and Alcohol Dependence indicated that the rise in cannabis use after legalization was primarily among adults, not adolescents.

Adding to this nuanced landscape, a longitudinal cohort study examined cannabis use among high-risk young adults in Ontario, Canada. The study followed individuals aged 19 to 23 years old over a three-year period encompassing both pre- and post-legalization phases. Results showed an overall decrease in both cannabis use frequency and related consequences among participants. Those who were frequent users before legalization exhibited significant reductions in use and associated harms, aligning with the natural “aging out” trend commonly seen in substance use. These findings suggest that legalization did not cause a widespread surge in cannabis use among high-risk young adults. If there was no increase in these participants, it raises the question as to why the mere legality would increase adolescent consumption?

Taken together, these varying results highlight the importance of examining local regulatory environments and demographic factors within the surveyed populations. Differences in access, product types, age enforcement, public messaging, and socioeconomic context can all shape youth engagement with cannabis post-legalization. Without accounting for these regional and social variables, it’s difficult to draw sweeping conclusions about the true impact of legalization on adolescents.

Additionally, the studies demonstrate that the legality of edibles is not the sole reason teens use cannabis, emphasizing that comprehensive education, effective age restrictions, and supportive public health messaging may better assist in reducing youth consumption of cannabis.

Final Thoughts: The Bigger Picture—Access, Education, and Patient Rights

While the JAMA Network Open study raises valid concerns about adolescent cannabis use and the appeal of certain product formats, it’s important to remember that these products were not designed with youth in mind, despite being labeled “youth-friendly”—they were created for patients and adult consumers who require smoke-free, dosage-controlled, and accessible options.

Banning certain cannabis products, such as edibles, will not necessarily stop underage use, which has proven true in Quebec, where teens continue to get access to edibles despite them being illegal. Individuals under the age of 21 cannot purchase any cannabis products legally in other regions and are using the illicit market, where products are unregulated and potentially more harmful.

Additionally, restricting these products could have unintended consequences for medical patients, harming those who rely on them for quality of life. Medical patients—including those with chronic pain, seizure disorders, and gastrointestinal conditions—depend on a wide variety of cannabis formats for relief.

Instead, the path forward must be grounded in education, not prohibition. What’s needed is not a return to fear-based approaches or blanket bans. We need:

• Restricted access for youth, not products: Protect youth through effective age-gating and responsible retail practices, not by limiting product types.
• Comprehensive education: Equip teens with factual, non-judgmental information about cannabis harms, especially regarding early and frequent use. Evidence-based education should be prioritized in schools and public messaging.
• Harm reduction tools: Offer real strategies for managing peer pressure and understanding the risks of co-use with alcohol. Communication can empower teens to make informed decisions.

Legalization is about more than just permitting cannabis use—it’s about building a safe, well-regulated, and informed environment for everyone. Cannabis remains a rapidly evolving landscape, and the research will only continue to grow. As we navigate its impacts, the decisions should be guided by gathering data and considering co-factors that contribute to adolescent cannabis use and methods to combat them. Education stands out as the most effective, sustainable tool to safeguard young people while honoring the needs of patients and responsible adult consumers.

Studies Referenced:

^{1. Mital S, Nguyen HV. Legalizing Youth-Friendly Cannabis Edibles and Extracts and Adolescent Cannabis Use. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(4):e255819. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.5819}