New data released by the Center for Disease Prevention (CDC) says teenagers using marijuana has fallen over the past decade.
In 2013, the number of teens smoking pot was around 23%, as of 2023, that number is down to 17%. The CDC’s conducts the national survey every 2 years.
Among boys and girls, male teens saw the bigger drop at from 25% in 2013 to 15% in 2023. Females only dropped from 22 percent to 19 percent over the past 10 years.
“There have been promising declines in high school students’ use of substances,” the CDC said. Even alcohol use among students saw a drop as well.
What is surprising about the report is the fact that the drop in usage rate among teens coincides with legalization cannabis in more states.
From 2009 to 2013, the number show high school students using the drug increased before legal marijuana dispensaries started opening.
Proponents of Amendment 3 on the Florida ballot this say if the drug is legalized and regulated, cannabis use among young people could see a further decline.
CDC also reported that the percentage of teens, ages 12 to 17 who’ve ever tried marijuana also declined by 18% from 2014.
The public’s view on marijuana has changed over recent years. A Gallup survey from last August showed that more Americans consider marijuana to be less harmful than alcohol, cigarettes, vapes and other tobacco products.
This past April, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) said they found no evidence that states’ adoption of laws to legalize and regulate marijuana for adults have led to an increase in youth use of cannabis.
A decline over 10 years is a win says the report, but opponents of the report point out the recent numbers from 2021-2023 show an increase of high schoolers using marijuana from 16% to 17%.
On alcohol consumption compared to marijuana, the CDC says the past month studies show teens are using alcohol more than cannabis.
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