Virginia Cannabis Control Authority creates new parent toolkit

Monique Calello, Staunton News Leader
·2 min read

Richmond — The Virginia Cannabis Control Authority (CCA) has created a new toolkit that can help guide discussions with youth about the risks associated with underage cannabis use, according to a press release.

"Parents and guardians play a key role in preventing underage cannabis use," the CCA said in the release. "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."

“Talking About Cannabis: A Parent Toolkit” covers topics such as:

  • Types of cannabis products

  • Effects of cannabis on the developing brain and body

  • Virginia cannabis laws

  • Tips for talking to your child about cannabis

  • Signs of possible cannabis use in youth

The toolkit also includes references to additional expert resources on the subject. The CCA created the toolkit after receiving feedback from its recent statewide needs assessment survey and during town hall events and presentations across the state, the release said.

Parents/guardians, health professionals, and community leaders expressed concern about a lack of resources available to help guide conversations about cannabis with youth, the release said.

”Our outreach efforts revealed there was a large appetite for a resource on the risks associated with underage cannabis use,” said Jeremy Preiss, CCA’s acting head and chief officer for regulation, policy and external affairs. “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.”

“Talking About Cannabis: A Parent Toolkit” is one of several educational resources available on the CCA’s website. To see more public health and public safety resources, visit cca.virginia.gov/resources. To download the toolkit, click here.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Virginia Cannabis Control Authority creates new parent toolkit