Students and apprentices are among the most vulnerable groups for cannabis use. How does cannabis affect learning, memory and future prospects – and what does the KCanG say about schools?
The topic of cannabis and school has taken on a new dimension through partial legalisation in April 2024. Cannabis is legal for adults from 18. But students – including those already 18 – are in an educational phase where cannabis can cause considerable harm.
## What the KCanG Regulates for Schools
The Cannabis Consumption Act defines clear protection zones:
- School premises: Cannabis consumption is prohibited on school grounds for everyone, regardless of age. - 100-metre protection zone: Consumption is prohibited within 100 metres of schools and youth facilities. - Distribution to minors: Purchasing cannabis under 18 is a criminal offence.
## How Cannabis Affects Learning
The brain up to about age 25 is in intensive development – especially the prefrontal cortex, responsible for planning, decision-making, impulse control and complex thinking.
Short-term effects: Impaired attention and concentration for hours; slowed information processing; restricted working memory; difficulties with complex tasks.
Long-term effects with regular use: A 2012 longitudinal study (Meier et al., PNAS) showed people who regularly used cannabis in adolescence had on average an 8-point IQ loss compared to non-users by age 38. This effect was not observed in adults who only began after adolescence.
## Specifics of Vocational Training
- Work safety: Many trades require attention and reaction ability that THC impairs for hours - Driving licence: Required in many apprenticeships; driving under THC influence risks licence revocation - Probationary period: Employers can dismiss in cases of impairment affecting work safety
## What to Do
If you're 18 and consume cannabis: never before or during the school day; observe the 100-metre zone; allow enough time between consumption and school demands.
If a classmate shows problems: speak to them directly without accusation; contact a trusted teacher or school social worker.
About this article
Written and reviewed by the BlattWerk e.V. editorial team — licensed cultivation association in Hildesheim. Our articles are based on current legislation, scientific publications and our practical experience as a Cannabis Social Club.
Last updated: 2026-06-17 · Found an error or something missing? Let us know
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