Originally published: April 2026
Having a positive and caring relationship with your child is one of the best ways to help protect them from harmful substance use. Children who feel connected with their families are more likely to talk to them about tough topics like substance use.
It’s never too early or too late to talk with your child about cannabis. Starting the conversation at an early age lets you shape what they know about the risks of using substances. The talks you have with them now will help to set your child on a healthy path for the future.
Here are a few tips on how to talk with kids 12 and under about cannabis.
Start with good information
You don’t need to be an expert to talk with your child about cannabis, but it helps to get the facts. Go to primarycarealberta.ca/cannabis to learn more about how cannabis affects the body and brain. This can help you feel ready to answer your child’s questions as they come up or know where to look.
Open up talks in real time
Talking about cannabis doesn’t need to be a formal, sit-down event. Try starting the conversation when you drive by a cannabis store, see someone using cannabis, or smell cannabis. Ask your child what they know about cannabis and what they’d like to know. Really listen to what they say—the most important part of talking with kids about cannabis is listening.
If your child brings up the topic of cannabis on their own, stop what you’re doing and talk with them about it. This will show them how much you care about having the conversation.
Stick to the facts
Try not to lecture or scare your child about the harms of cannabis. Stick to the facts—for example, you can say:
- Cannabis use is only legal for adults over the age of 18.
- Even legal substances (like cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco) can cause harm, especially to children.
- Using cannabis affects the way people think and act, and how healthy they are.
- Waiting to use cannabis until after age 25 protects the brain while it grows and lowers the risk of harms like addiction.
Focus on family values
Talk with your child about what matters most to your family. Focus on the things you all value—like staying healthy, reaching goals, or being positive role models. This is a good way to get kids thinking about what’s expected of them around substance use.
As your child gets older, be more specific about your family’s boundaries and expectations around using substances. Keep coming back to this conversation as your child moves through their teen years.
Help them handle peer pressure
Ask your child about their experiences with peer pressure. Talk with them about what they can say or do when someone urges them to do something that makes them feel uneasy.
Help your child practice how to handle peer pressure by acting out what they can say or do. Give them practical ideas, like saying ‘no thanks,’ walking away, or making an excuse.
Have their back
Be there for your child, always. Keep creating solid connections with them as they grow. Talk with them about the things they care about and recognize their strengths. Offer them chances to practice skills that boost their self-esteem and confidence (like planning family meals, taking care of pets, or helping with household chores).
Children and teens who are well-connected to their families and feel good about themselves are less likely to use cannabis in harmful ways.
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