Legal Consequences

While the laws have changed to legalize the sale and possession of recreational marijuana for adults who are 21 years of age, all drug and alcohol use is illegal for teens, and the consequences of being caught are huge. If caught, teens could be arrested, expelled from school, barred from playing sports, lose their driver’s license, denied a college loan, and/or rejected from college.

Parents are prohibited from permitting their child or anyone else under 18 years of age from consuming alcohol or drugs in their home and the child is under the influence of drugs or has a blood alcohol content of 0.05 percent, the parent knowingly allows the child to drive a car and the child causes an accident. A conviction for this offense can result in a fine up to $1,000 and jail time of up to one year. Additional areas of your legal liability, if you willingly or unwillingly allow minors to engage in drinking/drug use in your home is determined by a group of laws related to child abuse, negligence, and negligent supervision. 

Check out our Drug Facts for more information about legal consequences & OUSD policies for teens who are caught using drugs.