Is interest in teenage weed dwindling as it becomes legal? New survey provides interesting insights

By Jelena Martinovic

As more states pass laws allowing adult use of cannabis, concerns are emerging that legalizing marijuana would make marijuana more accessible to young people.

In 2019, a study by researchers from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health found that teenagers who interact with brands of cannabis on social media platforms were five times more likely to use cannabis than those who didn’t.

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That was back then …

A recent survey by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that cannabis use among adolescents aged 12 to 17 has declined significantly, according to the National Organization for the Reform of Marihuana Laws (NORML).

Cannabis use by the young population last year fell from 13.2% to 10.1% nationwide from 2019 to 2020, according to the latest data from the Drug Abuse and Mental Health Authority (SAMHSA).

However, among 18-25 year olds, the percentages of marijuana use remained almost unchanged over the past year, falling only marginally from 35.4% to 34.5% over the same period.

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“These results should reassure lawmakers that access to cannabis can be legally regulated in a safe and effective manner and not inadvertently affect young people’s habits,” said NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentanosaid.

Despite anti-legalization and prohibitionists predicting an increase in marijuana use among adolescents, cannabis use among adolescents has hovered around 13.5% for years.

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In addition, according to data published in JAMA Open Network magazine in September, there is “no increase … in the likelihood of cannabis use in the past year or month after the RCL”. [recreational cannabis laws] Decree among … people between the ages of 12 and 20 for all races and ethnicities. “

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The same does not apply to cannabis use by adults aged 26 and over, which has increased in recent years in connection with the country’s trend towards legalizing the plant.

Separate data published in JAMA Pediatrics reported that the introduction of marijuana laws for adults has been linked to lower rates of marijuana use among young people.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and was republished with permission.