“These findings reinforce the reality that regulated markets more successfully keep cannabis out of the hands of young people and out of school settings than does prohibition.”
Tag: teens
“Sensational claims that adult-use legalization laws are linked with greater marijuana use by teens are simply not backed by government data. These findings ought to reassure lawmakers that cannabis access can be legally regulated in a manner that is safe, effective, and that does not inadvertently impact young people’s habits.”
SAMHSA’s data is consistent with statistics compiled by other government agencies finding that cannabis use by young people has fallen to historic lows in recent years.
In the past decade alone, during which time 24 states legalized adult use marijuana sales, the percentage of 8th graders, 10th graders, and 12 graders who reported having ever consumed cannabis declined 32 percent, 37 percent, and 23 percent respectively.
Researchers determined that participants with a history of cannabis use experienced “significantly less cognitive decline” over their lifetimes than did non-users.
The percentage of high-schoolers who identify as current consumers of cannabis fell 26 percent between 2013 and 2023.
The NSDUH data reports that the percentage of those ages 12 to 17 who reported having ever tried marijuana fell 18 percent from 2014 to 2023. Those reporting having consumed cannabis during the past year fell 15 percent. The percentage of teens reporting current marijuana use fell 19 percent.
“Prevalence of cannabis use did not change among youth over time,” the study’s authors concluded.