In the U.S., teenagers are not using more cannabis as states legalize it

According to a recently published U.S. federal survey, cannabis use among young Americans dropped in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic and the increase in number of states that have legalized it.

Cannabis use in the past year among 12- to 17-year-olds thus fell from 13.2 % to 10.1 % between 2019 and 2020, according to the survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Among 18- to 25-year-olds, use over the past year also fell from 35.4 % to 34.5 % compared with the previous year.

However, consumption among adults aged 26 and older has been on the rise in recent years.

For this survey, the researchers noted that the methodology was modified due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, interviews were conducted virtually rather than in person for safety reasons. Because of this change, «caution should be exercised when comparing estimates,» they said.

Data Accumulation

Numerous studies have now shown that the legalization of cannabis does not lead to an increase in use among young people.

For example, a study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association in September revealed that rates of cannabis use among adolescents do not increase following legalization for medical or recreational purposes.

The director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Director Nora Volkow also admitted In a recent interview, he said that legalization has not led to an increase in use among young people, despite his earlier fears.

In a separate, earlier analysis, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that marijuana use among high school students had declined during the peak years of state-level legalization of recreational cannabis.

According to the survey, there was «no change» in the current rate of cannabis use among high school students between 2009 and 2019. However, when analyzed using a quadratic change model, lifetime marijuana use decreased during that period.

Another study A report published by Colorado authorities last year showed that cannabis use among young people in the state «has not changed significantly since legalization» in 2012, although methods of use are becoming more diverse.

In Canada, the Cannabis use among 15- to 17-year-olds has declined 47% since legalization