Students call for harm reduction, not punishment, in school cannabis policies

As cannabis becomes legal for adults in more states, young people in schools face confusing and often contradictory messages about the plant. This study examined how 18 youth under age 21 experienced cannabis-related school discipline in Massachusetts, where the adult legal cannabis market has expanded rapidly. The researchers conducted in-depth interviews and found that students felt caught between conflicting messaging: cannabis is legal for adults, yet schools punish youth possession or use with discipline that students perceived as disproportionate and harmful.

The study revealed four major findings that challenge current school approaches. First, surveillance of youth cannabis use is extensive, happening both in public and private spaces at school. Second, disciplinary responses vary significantly depending on the type of school and the student's demographic background, suggesting inconsistent and potentially inequitable enforcement. Third, and most importantly, students perceive cannabis discipline as harmful and disproportionate compared to the actual offense—suggesting zero-tolerance approaches may not be effective. Finally, youth advocate for harm reduction strategies and greater transparency, rather than traditional punishment-based approaches to cannabis incidents in schools.

These findings point to a critical disconnect: while adult cannabis use is now legal and regulated in Massachusetts, schools continue to rely on punitive discipline that young people view as outdated and counterproductive. The research suggests that alternative approaches—such as education, dialogue, and transparent policy-making that includes student voices—may be more effective at promoting safety and trust in schools while addressing youth cannabis use.