In the United States, cannabis use among teenagers is at an all-time low since legalization began.

According to the’Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey), supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the cannabis use among adolescents in the US has reached its lowest level since the first states legalized adult access in 2012.

Drop in cannabis use among teenagers

The MTF survey reveals that the percentage of teenagers reporting ever having used cannabis has fallen considerably at all school levels. For 2024:

• Eighth-grade students : Lifetime consumption fell to 32%, and annual consumption dropped from 38%.
• Second-year students : Consumption over the course of a lifetime reached 37%, and the annual consumption fell of 42%
• Year 12 students : Lifetime consumption fell to 23%, and annual consumption decreased by 26%.

The study points out that cannabis consumption down over three key periods: lifetime, past 12 months and past 30 days. This steady decline came as a surprise to researchers, as many had expected an increase in substance use following the lifting of the restrictions imposed by COVID-19.

More difficult access and changing perceptions

One of the conclusions survey is that teenagers increasingly feel that cannabis is difficult to access.

Despite the proliferation of adult-use outlets and the growing acceptance of cannabis by adults, fewer and fewer teenagers believe that cannabis is easy to obtain. In addition, the perception of cannabis use as involving a «risk of harm" is increasing.« great risk »has increased among young people, which contributes to a further fall in consumption.

The results of the MTF survey add to a growing body of research suggesting that cannabis legalization does not increase teenage use. A study funded by the federal government and published earlier in 2024 corroborated this fact, by showing that there was no increase in cannabis use among college students in states where adult use is legalized.

Similarly, a study carried out in Europe in 2022 found no evidence linking the legalization of cannabis to higher rates of consumption among people aged 15 to 34.

Study of factors behind the decline

Experts are now examining the factors behind this unprecedented trend. Nora Volkow, Director of NIDA, said : «We must continue to study the factors that have contributed to the decrease in the risk of psychoactive substance use in order to adapt interventions to the continuation of this trend.»

The substantial decline in cannabis use among adolescents in 2020 and 2021 was initially attributed to reduced social interaction caused by the restrictions imposed by COVID-19. However, the continued decline after the pandemic indicates that other factors, such as awareness, education and stricter regulations, may play a key role.