Teen Marijuana Usage Drops, Defying Concerns Amid Legalization

by:Rev. Duke Nolan

A recent federally funded study, spearheaded by the University of Michigan and supported by data from SAMHSA, reveals an encouraging trend: teen marijuana use remains significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels. This finding challenges concerns that legalization might lead to increased cannabis consumption among youth.

Monitoring the Future Survey: Key Insights

The University’s Monitoring the Future survey, a yearly endeavor, has shown that fewer teenagers are using cannabis now compared to 2020, the year before the pandemic. Notably, there has been a sharp decrease in lifetime, past 12-month, and past 30-day cannabis use among teens, with numbers staying low post-pandemic.

Historic Trends in Perspective

Looking back to the late 1990s, the decline becomes even more evident. The survey indicates a 25% decrease in annual marijuana use among 12th graders, a 50% drop among 10th graders, and over half among 8th graders.

Consistency Across Various Surveys

This downward trend in teen marijuana use aligns with findings from other recent surveys. For instance, the CDC reported a 30% reduction in high schoolers who have tried marijuana from 2011 to 2021, a period when many U.S. states were legalizing cannabis. There was also a similar decline in the number of students who considered themselves current marijuana users.

NORML’s Perspective on the Findings

Paul Armentano, Deputy Director of NORML, commented on the results, emphasizing that they should ease concerns regarding the impact of adult cannabis access on teen consumption. He highlighted that the legal regulation of cannabis for adults can be managed effectively without significantly influencing youth behavior.

This research not only offers insights into teenage behavior patterns but also contributes to the ongoing discussion about the impact of cannabis legalization on younger demographics. The declining trend in teen marijuana use stands as a testament to the effectiveness of regulatory measures and the evolving public perception of cannabis.