Cannabis Use Trends in the US: Teenagers Show a Decline, While Adults and High-Income Individuals See an Increase
A recent study published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports has shed light on the changing trends of cannabis use in the United States. The research analyzed data from over 500,000 individuals from 2013 to 2022 and found that while cannabis use has increased among adults and those from high-income households, teenagers have shown a decline in usage.
The study’s lead author, Delvon Mattingly, a behavioral science professor at the University of Kentucky, was surprised to find that teen cannabis use remained stagnant during the study period, contrary to his expectations. Mattingly attributed this finding to the fact that recreational dispensaries are prohibited from selling to anyone under 21, and are often required to verify the age of customers.
However, other experts suggest that the pandemic may have played a role in the decline of cannabis use among teenagers. Jordan Gette, a postdoctoral fellow at the Rutgers Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies, noted that the pandemic led to a decline in cannabis use among teens, likely due to reduced social interactions and increased parental supervision.
The study also found that cannabis use has increased among Americans with higher socio-economic status. Use among people with college degrees and those from households earning more than $75,000 a year more than doubled during the study period. This trend may be attributed to the normalization of cannabis use, as well as increased access to medical cannabis and the presence of dispensaries in affluent neighborhoods and near college campuses.
Interestingly, the study found that cannabis use was highest among non-Hispanic multiracial individuals, with over 25% of this group reporting cannabis use in 2022. Mattingly emphasized the importance of including this often-overlooked demographic in future research.
Overall, the study suggests that while cannabis use has increased among certain segments of the population, teenagers have shown a decline in usage. As the legal landscape surrounding cannabis continues to evolve, it will be important to monitor these trends and consider the potential implications for public health.
