Underage Marijuana Vaping: A Growing Threat
A troubling trend is emerging across middle and high schools nationwide: underage marijuana vaping is surging, posing a major challenge to retail compliance and public safety.
A recent University of Michigan study highlighted this alarming trend in teen marijuana vaping, noting that flavored vape cartridges are a major factor in its popularity. Masking the strong earthy taste with fruity and sweet flavors makes it discreet (no strong odor) and seems harmless, increasing the appeal to young users even more.
The data is stark: 63% of eighth graders who vaped marijuana in 2024 used flavored versions - a sharp rise from 47% just three years prior. Among tenth graders, that figure rose from 41% to 53%, and among twelfth graders, from 36% to 50%. These flavors are fruit-based and mask the natural taste of marijuana, which makes it appealing to first-time users.
According to lead researcher Richard Miech, if youth marijuana use keeps growing, addiction rates will rise, impacting students’ academic performance and relationships. While many teens believe vaping is safer than smoking, experts warn that high-potency vape products can cause faster addiction and stronger withdrawal symptoms.
For vape shops, dispensaries, and smoke shops, these statistics underscore a vital truth: responsible retailing and age verification using ID scanners is non-negotiable for compliance and safety.
Why Marijuana Vaping Is More Dangerous Than It Seems
High-Potency THC in Vape Products
Unlike traditional cannabis flower, marijuana vapes often contain concentrated THC oils with potency levels reaching 70–90% THC, far exceeding the 10–25% found in smoked cannabis.
This means teens who vape may experience more intense psychoactive effects, faster onset of addiction, and greater risk of marijuana use disorder. Researchers have found that vaping cannabis leads to higher THC absorption than smoking the same dose, making it deceptively powerful for first-time users.
Surpassing Teen Alcohol Abuse
While alcohol use among teens has declined in many districts due to education and enforcement, cannabis vaping is surging—and in some cases, surpassing alcohol abuse. Vape pens are easier to hide, flavored cartridges mask the harshness of THC, and social media glamorizes vape culture. Because vapes don’t produce the strong smell associated with smoking, students can stash them quickly if a teacher or administrator appears, making them harder to detect and easier to misuse.
Health experts warn that overuse can lead to marijuana use disorder, a condition where individuals need stronger doses over time to feel the same effect. The Centers for Disease Control note that this type of dependence is becoming more common with high-potency marijuana products.
The Alarming Connection Between THC and Road Safety
And the consequences aren’t limited to classrooms—they’re showing up on the road. A six-year study by Wright State University and the American College of Surgeons found that 42% of drivers killed in motor vehicle crashes in Montgomery County, Ohio, tested positive for active THC. The average blood level was 30.7 ng/mL, far exceeding most state-defined impairment limits of 2–5 ng/mL.
Even more alarming: the rate of THC-positive fatalities failed to decline even after Ohio legalized recreational cannabis in 2023, suggesting that enforcement of age compliance is a public safety imperative. Retailers can play a critical role by implementing age verification measures, such as ID scanners or driver’s license readers, to ensure compliance with state laws. These tools make it harder for minors to purchase vape cartridges and help the ripple effects of impaired driving and addiction in our communities.
While THC presence doesn’t always mean impairment, this finding underscores how normalized cannabis use can lead to dangerous behaviors – a concern that ripples into public safety, education, and retail accountability.
The Legal Gap: Easy Access Despite Age Restrictions
Although recreational cannabis is legal only for adults over 21, vape pens and edibles remain relatively easy for underage users to obtain due to weak age verification requirements and a thriving market.
Michigan educators are calling for stricter packaging rules, vape detection devices in schools, and public education campaigns to reduce youth access.
What Many Retailers Don’t Know: The Unlicensed Market Is Undermining Compliance
In California alone, an estimated 11.4 million pounds of illicit cannabis is produced annually—compared to just 1.4 million pounds from licensed operators.
That means 60% of cannabis consumed in the state comes from unregulated sources. Unlicensed shops often skip age verification, sell youth-appealing products, and undercut prices, making it harder for licensed retailers to compete.
Why Licensing and ID Verification are Critical
A 2025 American Academy of Pediatrics study revealed that licensed cannabis retailers in New York City consistently verified customer age, both before store entry and at the point of sale, while unlicensed shops often failed to do so. The research revealed:
- 100% of licensed retailers checked ID before entry and purchase
- Only 10% of unlicensed stores checked ID before entry
- 48% of unlicensed stores verified age before purchase
- Licensed stores avoided youth-appealing products like infused candy and soda, while unlicensed shops frequently sold them
The evidence speaks for itself: licensing and ID scanners directly protect minors. Legitimate dispensaries and vape shops using driver’s license scanners are the front line of defense against underage cannabis access.
Federal Oversight and Youth Education: A Shared Responsibility
As cannabis potency and accessibility grow, agencies like the FDA and CDC are tightening standards around product safety and youth protection.
Their initiatives focus on transparent labeling, potency limits, and better public education—but true prevention begins at the retail level.
Educating teens about the risks of high-potency THC is vital, but so is stopping access at the door through consistent, technology-backed ID checks.
The Retailer’s Role in Prevention: How ID Scanners Make a Difference
Underage access starts with weak ID verification practices. ID scanners and age verification devices help retailers eliminate the guesswork and human error, providing the critical first step to prevent underage access to vape and tobacco products.
Instant ID Validation
Scan and verify a customer’s age, expiration status, and flag suspicious IDs in seconds—helping staff make informed decisions at checkout.
Time-Stamped ID Scan Records
Create an audit trail of each ID scan with a date/time stamp. This supports store policy enforcement, compliance tracking, and prevents fines or violations.
Affirmative Defense Support
Prove your store followed the age verification protocol with logged documentation proving a valid ID was scanned and passed inspection. This documentation can be critical in legal disputes or regulatory reviews.
In some states, affirmative defense laws protect retailers from liability if a fake ID passes inspection, as long as an ID scanner for age verification is used. That means consistent scanning practices don’t just strengthen compliance, they safeguard your business.
Secure, Local-Only Data Storage
Unlike cloud-based systems that pose hacking risks, these scanners store sensitive ID data locally—on-device only. This protects customer privacy and shields businesses from the reputational damage of data breaches on the cloud.
Regulatory Compliance
Cannabis and vape laws vary by state, with different age thresholds and enforcement standards. ID scanners can be used to apply the correct age requirement based on location, helping retailers stay compliant without manual updates or guesswork.
Privacy-Forward Design
Choose ID scanners that verify age without storing unnecessary personal data, striking a balance between compliance and customer trust.
Compliance Across State Lines: Why Documentation Matters
Different States, Different Rules
Every state has its own age threshold for purchasing vape, tobacco, or cannabis products, ranging from 18 to 25 in some municipalities. Knowing and applying the correct standard is a key part of dispensary compliance.
Pair Scanners with Physical ID Checks
Even the best driver's license scanners can’t replace the human eye. Staff should always compare the photo and physical ID before completing a sale. The scanner verifies authenticity; the person ensures accuracy.
Documentation Over Detection
Catching fake IDs is important, but it’s not what makes you compliant—proper documentation of each ID check is.
In audits or enforcement cases, stores with verifiable scan records prove they followed the law. That’s why ID scanners are less about suspicion and more about protection.
Conclusion: Empowering Retailers to Lead Responsibly
The rise in teen marijuana vaping is a call to action—not just for schools and parents, but for every retailer in the cannabis and vape industry.
By integrating ID scanners, maintaining dispensary compliance, and documenting every sale, business owners can lead the way in keeping products out of the hands of minors.
Responsible cannabis retailing isn’t just about regulation, it’s about responsible practices to protect our youth and preserving the integrity of the industry.
Learn More About ID Scanners and Age Verification Tools
Tired of compliance headaches and liability risk? Find a smart and reliable way to verify age and document every sale with confidence.
ViAge offers simple, affordable ID scanners that work for vape shops, smoke shops, dispensaries, and convenience stores alike. Whether you’re scanning a driver’s license or checking for expired IDs, ViAge’s tools are built for speed, accuracy, and peace of mind.
- ID scanners for vape and smoke shops
- Time-stamped documentation for compliance audits
- Secure, local-only data storage
- Automatic age threshold settings by state
- Privacy-forward design that protects customer trust
Explore ViAge’s age verification devices today at ViAge ID Scanners and make responsible compliance part of your business culture.
