Cannabis use by teenagers in the United States down 20% in 10 years

Government survey data published by u.s. department of health and human services (HHS) indicate a significant drop in cannabis use among teenagers over the past decade.

Contrary to the fears that legalizing cannabis for adults would leads to increased consumption among teenagers, the data suggest the opposite trend.

Significant drop in cannabis use among teenagers

The latest findings of the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), as part of the’National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), In the United States, the results of a recent survey of cannabis use among adolescents aged 12 to 17 reveal a significant drop in cannabis use.

According to NSDUH data, the proportion of adolescents who have ever tried cannabis fell by 18 % between 2014 and 2023. Similarly, the number of teens reporting cannabis use in the past year fell by 15 %, and those reporting current use dropped by 19 %.

The data covers a period of widespread legalization of cannabis in the United States, In 2014, Colorado became the first state to regulate the retail sale of cannabis products to adults.

To date, 24 US states have legalized cannabis use for adults aged 21 and over, more than half of the U.S. population. Despite fears that these measures would lead to an increase in teenage consumption, the trend is downwards.

Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML, commented the data from the federal survey: «Sensational claims that adult-use legalization laws are linked to greater marijuana use by teens are simply not supported by reliable data. These government findings should reassure lawmakers that access to cannabis can be legally regulated in a way that is safe, effective and does not have an unintended impact on young people's habits.»

Consistent findings in several reports

NSDUH's findings are consistent with other reports, including data from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which also show consumption rates of cannabis steadily declining among teenagers.

This trend calls into question the idea that legalizing cannabis for adults encourages underage consumption, and supports the hypothesis that regulation does not lead to an increase in cannabis use among younger populations.