ANN ARBOR, Mich. — An annual survey conducted by the University of Michigan found that marijuana use among teens is at a historical low across the country.
The survey, funded through the federal government, shows that marijuana use among teens has declined significantly over the past 10 years.
The university's survey found that cannabis use by 8th, 10th and 12th graders was at a 30-year low, which is supported by similar findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
The University of Michigan's survey asked 12th, 10th and 8th grade students if they have ever consumed cannabis, consumed cannabis in the last year, or consumer cannabis in the last month.
Since 2014, the percentage of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders who reported having ever consumed cannabis declined 32 percent, 37 percent, and 23 percent respectively. That's the rate of change over the last decade.
Percentage of teens who reported having ever consumed cannabis in 2014:
- 12th Grade: 44.4%
- 10th Grade: 33.7%
- 8th Grade: 15.6%
Percentage of teens who reported having ever consumed cannabis in 2024:
- 12th Grade: 34.4%
- 10th Grade: 21.2%
- 8th Grade: 10.6%
Since 2014, the percentage of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders who reported using cannabis in the past year fell 38 percent, 42 percent, and 26 percent respectively.
Percentage of teens who reported using cannabis in the last year in 2014:
- 12th Grade: 35.1%
- 10th Grade: 27.3%
- 8th Grade: 11.7%
Percentage of teens who reported using cannabis in the last year in 2024:
- 12th Grade: 25.8%
- 10th Grade: 15.9%
- 8th Grade: 7.2%
Since 2014, the percentage of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders who reported using cannabis in the past month declined 34 percent, 43 percent, and 34 percent respectively.
Percentage of teens who reported using cannabis in the last month in 2014:
- 12th Grade: 21.2%
- 10th Grade: 16.6%
- 8th Grade: 6.5%
Percentage of teens who reported using cannabis in the last month in 2024:
- 12th Grade: 16.2%
- 10th Grade: 9.5%
- 8th Grade: 4.3%
The decline in marijuana usage comes as more and more states are legalizing adult use and medical marijuana sales. A total of 24 states have legalized the sale of adult-use marijuana and 39 states have legalized medical sales.
NORML, a marijuana decriminalization advocacy group, is pointing to the continued decline in marijuana use among teens coupled with the legalization of adult-use marijuana in states across the country.
"Sensational claims that adult-use legalization laws are linked with greater marijuana use by teens are simply not backed by reliable data. These findings ought to reassure lawmakers that cannabis access can be legally regulated in a manner that is safe, effective, and that does not inadvertently impact young people’s habits," said NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano.
NORML also posted an op-ed earlier this year highlighting the decrease in use on the backdrop of legalization: "Those wedded to the status quo of cannabis criminalization have long warned that legalizing the marijuana market will result in increased adolescent use. But 10 years following the first states’ decisions to legalize and regulate adult-use cannabis sales, data conclusively shows that this fear was unfounded."
You can find the data gathered by the University of Michigan here.
