The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (CCA) has unveiled a comprehensive toolkit designed to facilitate meaningful discussions between parents and youth concerning the risks associated with underage cannabis consumption, as detailed in an official press release.
Highlighting the pivotal role parents and guardians play in deterring underage cannabis use, the CCA stressed, “Thirteen percent of high school students currently use cannabis according to the 2021 Virginia Youth Survey conducted by the Virginia Department of Health. Having early, age-appropriate conversations about cannabis creates a foundation for responsible decision making that can help children make safe and healthy choices.”
Entitled “Talking About Cannabis: A Parent Toolkit,” the resource encompasses a wide array of essential topics, including:
Different types of cannabis products
The impact of cannabis on developing brains and bodies
Virginia’s cannabis laws
Strategies for engaging in open dialogues with children about cannabis
Recognizing potential signs of cannabis use among youth
Additionally, the toolkit provides references to supplementary expert resources. The creation of this toolkit was driven by input gathered from a recent statewide needs assessment survey, as well as feedback received during town hall events and presentations held throughout the state.
According to the release, parents, guardians, health professionals, and community leaders expressed their concerns about the lack of available resources for guiding discussions about cannabis with young individuals.
Jeremy Preiss, the Acting Head and Chief Officer for Regulation, Policy, and External Affairs at CCA, emphasized the organization’s commitment to addressing this need: “Our outreach efforts revealed there was a large appetite for a resource on the risks associated with underage cannabis use. We listened, and we responded with this toolkit. Its publication coincides with the start of the new school year and furthers our mission to promote public safety and health.”
