Adult Use of Marijuana Act

The Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act, also known as Proposition 64, legalizes recreational cannabis use for adults 21 and older, but does not change laws banning the use of marijuana by Preschool -12 students or on school campuses.

The California Department of Education (CDE) has assembled resources below to help parents, students, educators, and the public understand the effects of marijuana on the brains of developing children and teenagers, and to provide information about prevention education as well as data.

The California Education Code continues to prohibit use, possession, possession for sale and being under the influence of a controlled substance, including marijuana.

Proposition 64 designates CDE as a recipient of some future revenue generated by new marijuana taxes, which are to be used on education, prevention and early intervention services for youth as well as other educational needs.

Data

California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS)
An anonymous, confidential survey of school climate and safety, student wellness, and youth resiliency. Administered to students at grades five, seven, nine, and eleven, it enables schools and communities to collect and analyze data regarding local youth health risks and behaviors, school connectedness, school climate, protective factors, and school violence.

Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Provides data on health-risk behaviors among ninth through twelfth grade students, including behaviors that contribute to injuries and violence; alcohol or other drug use; tobacco use; sexual risk behaviors; unhealthy dietary behaviors; and physical inactivity.

Prevention Education

Health Education Standards and Frameworks
Information and resources related to health education for students in grades k – 12, including content standards, curriculum frameworks and state-adopted instructional materials.

SAMHSA – Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness
Resources from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA) regarding prevention and early intervention strategies to reduce the impact of mental and substance use disorders in America’s communities.

SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices
A searchable online registry from SAMHSA of more than 400 substance use and mental health interventions developed to help the public learn more about prevention and intervention resources available for implementation.

Resources

Let’s Talk Cannabis
California Department of Public Health (CDPH) website sharing science-based information and facts you need to know to make safe and informed choices about cannabis use.

Partnership for Drug-Free Kids
A non-profit supporting families struggling with substance abuse. They offer confidential one-on-one counseling as well as a library of resources to connect with your teen about drug use.

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse
A non-profit research and policy organization with resources focused on improving understanding, prevention and treatment of substance use and addiction.

Student Assistance Programs
Student Assistance Programs (SAPs) are designed to intervene with students who are displaying behaviors of concern. Bulletins on various topics describe supports school administrators, teachers, counselors and other school district personnel, non-profit organizations, and agencies deliver through SAPs.

Marijuana Facts for Teens
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) publication discussing the often confusing themes of health consequences of cannabis use in this age group, its effect on the developing brain, its addiction risk, and what we know about its potential as a medicine.

Marijuana Tips for Teens (PDF)
Brochure for teens from SAMHSA provides facts about cannabis. It describes short and long-term effects and lists signs of cannabis use. The brochure also helps to dispel common myths about cannabis.

California Education Code – 48900
Establishes unlawfulness of possession, use, sale and being under the influence of a controlled substance while on school grounds or attending a school-sponsored activity.