Teen Cannabis Use Continues To Decline

A recent federal report disproves the age old claim that legalizing cannabis for adults would result in an increase in teenage use. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Youth Risk Behavioral Survey, despite more states legalizing cannabis for medical and recreational use, cannabis use among teenagers dropped to the lowest number in at least a decade from 2019 to 2021. In 2021, 16% of high school students reported using cannabis in the past 30 days, compared to 22% in 2019. Between 2011 and 2021, cannabis use decreased from 26% to 14% among male high school students and from 20% to 18% among female high school students.

The report also notes that the first states began legalizing adult-use cannabis in 2012, and Michigan voters legalized cannabis for medicinal use in 2008 and for adult-use in 2018. The agency further observed that female students were more likely than male students to currently use marijuana. Black students were more likely than Asian, Hispanic, and White students to currently use marijuana. LGBQ+ students and students with same-sex partners were also more likely than their peers to use cannabis.

The report provides further evidence that creating legal systems for adults to purchase cannabis does not lead to an increase in use among teenagers.

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