Current marijuana use among adolescents decreased from 23.1% in 2011 to 15.8% in 2021. First-time use before age 13 also dropped from 8.1% to 4.9%.
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Marijuana remains one of the most popular illicit substances among teens in the U.S., even as legal perspectives on the drug shift rapidly. With more states allowing recreational marijuana use for adults and fewer teens viewing it as risky, tracking youth trends is more important than ever.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University’s Schmidt College of Medicine conducted an in-depth study using data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which tracked marijuana use trends from 2011 to 2021 among 88,183 high school students across grades nine through twelve. This research, recently published in Pediatric Reports, examines how youth marijuana use has changed over time, along with variations by gender, race, and grade level.
Key Trends and Findings
One of the standout findings? A significant drop in the percentage of teens reporting current marijuana use. In 2011, 23.1% of adolescents said they were using marijuana, but by 2021, that number had decreased to 15.8%. Similarly, fewer teens reported trying marijuana before age 13, with that figure dropping from 8.1% in 2011 to 4.9% in 2021.
Breaking it down by grade, older students consistently reported higher usage, with 12th graders topping the list at 22.4% in 2021, followed by 11th graders at 18.7%. While every grade level saw declines from 2011 to 2021, there were a couple of small upticks, notably in 2013 and 2019.
"While we observed an overall decline from 2011 to 2021 across all grades, older students consistently reported higher usage, particularly 12th graders,” said Dr. Panagiota “Yiota” Kitsantas, professor and chair of the Department of Population Health and Social Medicine at FAU. “This suggests that as adolescents advance through high school, they may have greater access to marijuana, influenced by more developed peer networks and increased independence. This trend highlights the need for targeted interventions aimed at older adolescents, who are at a greater risk of regular marijuana use.”
Shifts in Gender and Racial Patterns
One unexpected twist in the data was the shift in marijuana use between genders. By 2021, girls reported higher current use (17.8%) compared to boys (13.6%)—a significant flip from 2011, when boys were more likely to use marijuana (25.9% vs. 20.1%). This change may reflect broader societal shifts in how marijuana is perceived by different genders.
Racial patterns also revealed notable differences. Asian, Hispanic, and white students saw some of the steepest drops in usage. However, in 2021, Black adolescents reported the highest usage at 20.5%, compared to 14.8% for white teens, 16.7% for Hispanic teens, and 5.1% for Asian teens. The study’s authors suggest these racial disparities in use need further exploration.
How Legalization Affects Perceptions
Dr. Charles H. Hennekens, co-author and senior academic advisor at FAU, pointed out that marijuana’s legal status among adults could be affecting youth attitudes. “As more states continue to legalize recreational marijuana, the accessibility and perceived normalcy of the drug may increase, particularly for adolescents who may view its legal status as an indication of safety or acceptability.” He added that reduced perception of risk and increased availability can hinder efforts to lower teen usage.
The researchers emphasize that interventions—like open communication between parents and teens, strong school-based health education, and a supportive school environment—are key to continuing the trend of decreasing marijuana use among youth.
Why This Matters
Marijuana use in adolescence can harm cognitive development, leading to poorer learning outcomes, memory issues, and attention deficits. Studies show that teens who use marijuana regularly are two to three-and-a-half times more likely to have lower GPAs and face a fourfold increase in the risk of psychosis in adulthood. Research also indicates marijuana use disrupts brain function, especially in areas responsible for decision-making and social behavior.
Ultimately, the study underscores the need to keep a close eye on youth marijuana trends and to tailor public health initiatives to the needs of specific groups. By focusing on different grade levels, genders, and racial/ethnic communities, policymakers can work toward healthier outcomes for the next generation.
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