State law prohibits minors under the age of 21 from purchasing, possessing, or consuming marijuana. Adult use between the ages of 18 and 21 is only allowed with a medicinal marijuana card, yet according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry:

• Many teens believe that marijuana is safer than alcohol or other drugs
• Regular use of marijuana can lead to significant problems, including Cannabis Use Disorder and withdrawal can interfere with other activities
• Pictures below of parties providing alcohol to minors:

Short-term use of marijuana can lead to:

• School difficulties
• Problems with memory and concentration
• Increased aggression
• Car accidents
• Use of other drugs or alcohol
• Risky sexual behaviors
• Worsening of underlying mental health conditions, including mood changes and suicidal thinking
• Increased risk of psychosis
• Interference with prescribed medication

State law prohibits minors under age 21 from purchasing, possessing, or consuming alcohol, yet a report from the American Medical Association finds:

• 2 out of 3 teens said it was easy to get alcohol
• 1 in 3 said it was easy to get alcohol from their own consenting parents
• 2 out of 5 said it was easy to get alcohol from a friend’s parents
• 1 in 4 said they’d attended a party where youth under 21 were drinking in front of parents

A study from the American Medical Association also shows underage drinking is a factor in nearly half of all teen car crashes, which is the leading cause of death among teenagers. Well-meaning parents often host drinking parties on behalf of their children, but these gatherings can quickly spiral out of control. Hosting at home doesn’t change the facts or lessen the dangers of:

• 
• Alcohol poisonings
• Brain damage
• Chronic alcohol addiction
• Car crashes
• Property damage
• Community disturbance
• Risky sexual behavior and sexual assault
• Fighting
• Accidental injuries due to falls or poor judgment

A “Social Host” is anyone who knowingly hosts parties where minors are provided alcohol or marijuana on property that adults own, lease, or otherwise controls. A Social Host ordinance assigns responsibility to those who knew or should have known minors were consuming alcohol or marijuana on their property.

Anyone hosting a party is required to:

• Verify the age of guests
• Control access to alcohol or marijuana for those under 21
• Supervise minors

Anyone allowing minors (under 21) to drink alcohol or ingest marijuana in any form will be held accountable and may be:

• Cited/arrested
• Fined up to $1,000 or more
• Serve up to six months in jail
• Billed for law enforcement services

Social Host Ordinance Documents

• Unincorporated Areas
• Del Mar
• Encinitas
• Imperial Beach
• Lemon Grove
• Poway
• San Marcos
• Santee
• Solana Beach
• Vista

Report Social Host Violations

Report Social Host violations to:

• Sheriff’s Department: 858-565-5200
• Students Speaking Out Hotline: 888-580-8477

Resources

• 
• Social Host Information Card
• Learn About Start Smart
• San Diego Tribune – Social Host Editorial