Cannabis Use Rose Among US Adults Over 10 Years, But Kept Steady In Teens, Finds New Study
A new study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports found that usage among adults has surged, but teenage cannabis use maintained its yearly levels.
The study, which analyzed data from over 543,000 people between 2013 and 2022, offers a closer look at how legalization and shifting attitudes have reshaped the social adoption of cannabis, reported The Guardian.
Another notable finding is the rise in cannabis consumption among adults with higher incomes and college degrees. Researchers crunched the numbers coming from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) to examine trends across various demographics.
Teen Use Holds Steady
Despite concerns that cannabis legalization might drive increased use among teenagers, the data shows otherwise. The outcome is strong, since it coincides with a previous study on the matter.
In fact, while use among teens has remained between 6% and 7% over the last decade according to the new study, previous studies have even showed a decrease among this demographic group.
“We expected to see an increase, especially with the broader legalization and availability,” said Dr. Delvon Mattingly, lead author of the study and a behavioral science professor at the University of Kentucky. “But the data show that teen use has remained surprisingly flat.”
Experts believe that strict regulations preventing dispensaries …