Keeping Up with Cannabis: How to Support Youth in 2026

While the landscape of substance use is constantly changing, cannabis remains one of the most commonly used substances among young people in our state. Its widespread availability, and attitudes about it being “harmless” and “natural,” contribute to early use.

To address these challenges, the Partnership @drugfreeNH recently hosted a special workshop, Beyond the Lecture: Building Trust to Guide Youth Conversations About Cannabis. This session brought together experts in policy, neuroscience, and communication to equip partners with accurate, science-based information to navigate this complex topic.

Cannabis Normalization and Vaping Trends Both Increase Youth Use

Cannabis use has now surpassed daily alcohol use among adults in the United States. This correlates to rising negative consequences on safety, employment, health, and family. This normalization of cannabis also trickles down to our kids. According to the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the percentage of youth who reported that their parents feel it would be wrong or very wrong for them to smoke marijuana dropped from 82% in 2013 to 76% in 2023. This trend, paired with the surge of vaping products containing cannabis and increased access, may contribute to the increase in youth cannabis use, up from 17.8% in 2021 to 19.8% in 2023.

Seven Takeaways about Cannabis and Youth in 2026

In this changing landscape, here are our most important takeaways about cannabis and youth in 2026:

 

1. Legal adult use ≠ Safe for youth and the developing brain.
   The brain is not fully developed until the mid 20s or even into the 30s. Neuroscientist and public health advocate, Amy Turncliff, explained that the impact of cannabis on an adolescent can depend on the individual, and the amount, strength, and frequency of use; but in general, THC can impact the part of the adolescent brain responsible for memory, emotional regulation, and motor control. Heavy cannabis use during adolescence has been associated with impairments in verbal learning, working memory, and executive function. A new longitudinal study finds that cannabis use among adolescents increases risks of being diagnosed with bipolar and psychotic disorders, as well as anxiety and depression later in life.
2. Potency matters.
   Cannabis today is much stronger than what was available in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. Higher THC concentrations increase the risk of addiction, ER visits, and psychotic episodes.
3. Availability has increased.
   With the expanded availability of cannabis products, youth are exposed to marketing messaging in their environment and online. They are also likely to see and hear about cannabis and other substances from their peers earlier than you might guess. Whether cannabis is commercialized or not in New Hampshire, youth have access.
4. What you say–and how you say it–has an impact.
   Youth are getting messages about cannabis, whether they are coming from you or not. Lisa Stockwell, seasoned communicator and skilled trainer in Motivational Interviewing, emphasizes the importance of shifting how we talk to youth. Instead of lecturing, ask questions. Approach with curiosity, using Motivational Interviewing techniques. Be someone this young person feels they can be honest with. Every one of us can hold these conversations.
5. Products and marketing can be tricky.
   Cannabis products are often packaged to look like candy or popular snack brands to appeal to young people. Also, many vape products are designed to look like pens or other common items to avoid detection. Many of these newer products are made without regulatory oversight, making them difficult to monitor.
6. Youth use has increased, and girls may use more.
   In New Hampshire, 12th graders reported cannabis use at higher rates than their peers nationally (27.4%) with more females reporting use than males. According to the most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately one in 10 adolescents (12-17 years) and one third of young adults (18-25 years) used cannabis in the last year.
7. State and federal laws continue to have an impact.
   New Hampshire has decriminalized cannabis for adults, meaning it is a civil violation instead of a criminal misdemeanor to possess cannabis in most cases. The state has also expanded access for individuals with a qualifying medical condition for therapeutic use, dispensed through a state-regulated alternative treatment center. Neighboring states have fully legalized cannabis for adults. It remains illegal at the federal level and for those under age 21. There are also certain products, such as those derived from hemp, that are legal in New Hampshire but are sometimes modified to add intoxicating substances like Delta-8, which pose a risk to youth. To protect youth, policy experts like Kate Frey at New Futures are working to close such policy loopholes.