Study shows teen girls now outnumber boys in marijuana use

A recent study brings unexpected news to the ongoing debate over marijuana legalization: Marijuana use among U.S. teens has declined even as legalization increases. The study, conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), shows a significant decline in marijuana use among teenagers from 2019 to 2023, with the trend spanning different age groups. This decline challenges widespread concern that legalization would inevitably increase marijuana access and use among minors.

Several factors can explain this decline. As marijuana becomes increasingly accepted as a legal substance for adults in many states, its appeal as a “rebellious” act among teenagers has likely waned. Some researchers suggest that as marijuana becomes more widespread, the thrill associated with illicit access diminishes, thereby reducing marijuana's appeal to younger audiences. Additionally, cannabis regulations and advertising restrictions make it difficult for youth to access or encounter marijuana.

Public health campaigns and educational efforts also appear to be having an impact and changing attitudes toward the health effects of marijuana. As schools and health organizations increase education about cannabis, young people are becoming more aware of its possible disadvantages, such as memory or motivation problems. While concerns about adult use and safety of marijuana remain, data suggests that youth marijuana use will not increase as much as some had feared if marijuana is regulated and responsibly integrated into society becomes.

For advocates and policymakers, this finding provides an encouraging perspective on the societal impact of legalization. By supporting evidence-based cannabis education and regulation, states may be able to create a balanced environment that minimizes youth use while ensuring responsible access for adults to cannabis. These findings could also inform future cannabis laws, emphasizing the need to educate and inform rather than instill fear, thereby promoting a healthier perspective toward cannabis as it continues to integrate into mainstream society.