The conversation around cannabis legalization in the U.S. often stirs strong opinions and debates, with one recurring concern being how expanded access to cannabis could potentially influence teen cannabis use. Interestingly, the latest federally funded Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey, conducted by the University of Michigan and funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), brings evidence that debunks these concerns.
The 2024 MTF survey shows a continued decrease in reported cannabis use among adolescents—this is despite the increasing number of states legalizing adult recreational marijuana use and ongoing efforts toward federal legalization.
Teen Cannabis Use Hits Historic Lows Amid Legalization
Contrary to fears that wider adult access to cannabis might trickle down to teens, the data show otherwise. The MTF survey, which garnered responses from over 24,000 students in grades 8, 10, and 12, highlights a decade-long decline in adolescent cannabis use. For instance, past-year marijuana use reported in 2024 is significantly below levels observed before the first states legalized adult use in 2012.
Key Findings From the Survey:
Cumulative Decline
Over the past decade, teen marijuana use has dropped sharply. Lifetime cannabis use fell by 32% among 8th graders, 37% among 10th graders, and 23% among 12th graders.
Year-Over-Year Stability or Decline
Cannabis use remained stable in 2024 for 8th and 10th graders, with 7.2% of 8th graders and 15.9% of 10th graders reporting use in the past 12 months. Among 12th graders, marijuana use declined further, with 25.8% reporting use in the past year compared to 29% in 2023.
Cannabis Vaping Stabilizes
When broken down by consumption method, cannabis vaping—a newer trend—remained unchanged in 2024, with 5.6% of 8th graders, 11.6% of 10th graders, and 17.6% of 12th graders reporting past-year use. Coupled with reduced smoking rates, these findings suggest that vaping may be replacing more traditional methods rather than increasing overall use.
Public Perception of Cannabis Risk Also Evolves
One key highlight of the 2024 MTF survey is that more students are not glorifying cannabis use after it’s becoming more normalized. It’s not “cool” to do anymore. This shift in mindset may contribute to the declining numbers. Legalization advocates argue that regulated markets, which include strict ID checks and product controls, have created an environment that curtails underage access while also fostering more responsible adult consumption.
What’s Driving the Decline in Teen Cannabis Use?
Several factors likely explain the drop in teen cannabis usage despite its ongoing legalization.
Regulated Markets and Restricted Access
Legalization doesn’t turn cannabis into a free-for-all—it often does the opposite. Retailers in the cannabis industry follow strict compliance rules, verifying age and using safeguards to block sales to minors. This structured approach actively reduces teens’ access to cannabis products.
Shifting Focus Post-COVID-19
Interestingly, the sharpest declines in cannabis and substance use overall coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Restrictions, such as school closures and limited social gatherings, profoundly altered adolescent lifestyles, leading to decreased availability of and exposure to substances like cannabis.
While a bounce-back in use was expected as these restrictions lifted, experts, including NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow, have observed that declines remain stable even four years later. “This trend in the reduction of substance use among teenagers is unprecedented,” Volkow stated in a press release.
Education and Awareness
The growing discourse around cannabis legalization has also brought awareness to responsible use and potential health risks, particularly for younger age groups whose brains are still developing. Campaigns focusing on anti-impaired driving, appropriate age limits, and potential negative outcomes of excessive or premature use may also play a role in shaping adolescent attitudes toward the plant.
Cultural Normalization, Not Glamorization
With legalization, cannabis has moved from being a taboo, “forbidden fruit” to a normalized product much like alcohol. Without the allure of rebellion, some teens may no longer see experimenting with cannabis as particularly exciting.
Reflecting on Cannabis Legalization’s Impact
The data tells a compelling story. While adult recreational cannabis use has risen in some states that have legalized the plant, there’s been no rise in adolescent use. This is significant because it disputes anti-legalization arguments, suggesting that wider legalization would automatically lead to higher youth consumption.
Organizations like NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) back these findings, with Deputy Director Paul Armentano recently stating in an article about the survey, “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.”
With 24 states already enabling recreational cannabis, the push for federal legalization is gaining traction. Advocates argue that national reform could further solidify safeguards against underage marijuana use by standardizing regulations, tackling illicit markets, and funding sensible education efforts.
Cannabis legalization is transforming the cultural and economic landscape, and findings like those in the 2024 MTF survey remind us of the importance of relying on empirical data rather than assumptions. By responsibly managing cannabis as part of a regulated framework, we ensure safety, public health, and informed decision-making for generations to come.
