Youth marijuana use declined since Canadian legalization, study shows

Research suggests legalization in Canada has not increased youth consumption, contrary to some pre-legalization concerns.

FILE — statehouse · B.D. Gilfry / CC BY-SA 2.0

A new study reported by Marijuana Moment shows that youth marijuana use has declined in Canada since the country legalized cannabis. The finding appears to contradict predictions that legalization would lead to increased youth adoption.

The result aligns with a broader Canadian market that has shown resilience in 2026, with employment gains and steady sales growth through the first half of the year, per prior reporting. Whether sustained youth disengagement reflects effective regulatory design, enforcement, or market maturation remains unclear and worth monitoring as legalization matures in other jurisdictions.