Teen Cannabis Use Declines Amid Growing State Legalization, Federal Study Reveals

The latest Monitoring the Future study, conducted since 1975, shows that cannabis use, alcohol, cigarette and e-cigarette use among American teenagers has reached an all-time low.

Surprisingly, these numbers persist despite the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions and the legalization of cannabis in many US states. What’s behind this trend? Let’s take a closer look at the data and how to interpret it.

Record Results: Statistical Details

The study covered around 24,000 students in three key age groups: 8th, 10th and 12th grade. The results show that the number of young people giving up psychoactive substances is the highest since the measurements began:

12th graders: 66% have not used alcohol, cannabis, cigarettes or e-cigarettes in the past 30 days. This is a record high.

10th grade students: 80% declared abstinence, a new historic high.

8th grade students: 90% of students did not use substances, consistent with the previous survey.

Daily cannabis use declined across all age groups:

Among 12th-grade students, the rate was just 13% – significantly lower than the record of 21% recorded in the 1970s.

In 8th grade, daily cannabis use since 1991 has ranged between 0.2% and 2%.

Historical Comparison: How cannabis use has changed over the decades

In the 1970s, cannabis reached its peak popularity among young people, with more than half of 12th-grade students reporting using it in the previous 12 months. There was a sharp decline in the 1990s, and in the following decades, it stabilized at around 20%.

Current results indicate a continuation of the downward trend initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic, confirming no return to pre-2020 levels.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cannabis use

The COVID-19 pandemic was a key moment in changing patterns of substance use. Here are the most important mechanisms that have affected youth:

Lack of social gatherings: School closures and cancellation of social events have limited youth access to psychoactive substances.

Increased parental supervision: During lockdowns, young people spent more time in parental care, which reduced the opportunity to experiment.

Breaking the cycle of peer pressure: Students entering high school during the pandemic have not had the opportunity to experience peer pressure from older peers who often initiate substance use.

Experts point to the evolution of young people’s lifestyles. They are now spending more and more time in the digital space, using social media and online games. These activities, although often criticized, limit physical contacts that encourage experimenting with marijuana, alcohol or cigarettes.

The pandemic has increased anxiety and depression among young people, which has paradoxically contributed to a decline in cannabis use. Young people, fearing the negative effects of psychoactive substances, have been more likely to refrain from using them.

At the same time, people struggling with anxiety and depression are less likely to attend social events, which further reduces their exposure to substance use.

New Challenges: The Rise in Popularity of Nicotine Pouches

While the data on cannabis is positive, the study reveals a new threat: nicotine pouch use among 12th-grade students doubled in a year, rising from 3% in 2023 to 6% in 2024.

Richard Miech of the University of Michigan emphasizes that this increase may herald new health challenges. Will nicotine pouches become a new public health problem? That question remains open.

Experts have been surprised by the lack of a return to pre-pandemic levels of use. Many predicted that as lockdowns ended, youth would return to their previous patterns. Instead, the pandemic has not only reduced substance use but also disrupted some of the negative social patterns that previously fueled the problem.

Summary and recommendations for the future

The decline in cannabis use among youth is a positive trend that should continue. However, the rise in popularity of alternative nicotine products requires attention. Here are the key takeaways:

Continued health education: Parents, teachers and society must continue to inform young people about the effects of substance use.

Monitoring emerging risks: The growing popularity of nicotine products requires early intervention to prevent new health problems.

Research and Policy: Further research and effective health policies are needed to support adolescents in making healthy decisions.

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(Featured image by Lena Taranenko via Unsplash)

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