A recent study has revealed intriguing trends in cannabis consumption across the United States. Over the past decade, cannabis use among American adults has increased noticeably, particularly among those with higher incomes and college degrees. Surprisingly, the same upward trend does not extend to teenagers.
The study, published in the Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports, analyzed data on over 500,000 individuals from 2013 to 2022. Conducted by Delvon Mattingly, a behavioral science professor at the University of Kentucky, the research utilized data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The study’s aim was to estimate the prevalence of cannabis use, focusing on recent trends and patterns among various demographic groups.
Mattingly and his team defined current cannabis use as any use within the past 30 days. They were particularly interested in how use varied by age, gender, race and ethnicity, educational attainment, and annual family income. What stood out most to Mattingly was the stagnation in cannabis use among teenagers during this period—a trend he had expected to rise.
Given the generalization of youth data into a single category of ages 12 to 17, the lack of an increase could mask more nuanced age-related trends. Mattingly suggested that more detailed data might reveal slight increases in cannabis use between middle and high school students.
Other recent reports back up the finding that teen cannabis use has not risen. For example, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show a decrease in cannabis use among high schoolers, from 23% in 2013 to 17% in 2023. The study speculates that state-level legalization may play a role in this trend. Legal dispensaries must rigorously verify age to prevent sales to minors, contrasting with the comparatively looser regulation of alcohol sales in some places.
Additional insights come from Jordan Gette, a postdoctoral fellow at the Rutgers Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies. Gette highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically influenced substance use trends. Reduced peer interaction and increased parental supervision during lockdowns likely contributed to the decline in teen cannabis use. This trend is part of a broader post-pandemic decrease in youth substance use, encompassing both alcohol and vaping.
Meanwhile, the study uncovered significant increases in cannabis use among adults with higher socio-economic status. For individuals in households earning over $75,000 annually and those with college degrees, the prevalence of cannabis use more than doubled over the decade. In 2013, only 4% of college graduates and 6% of those in high-income households used cannabis. By 2022, these figures had risen to nearly 13%.
Gette attributed this spike to changing societal perceptions influenced by legalization. High-profile endorsements by celebrities and athletes have normalized cannabis, making it more appealing. Additionally, the proliferation of dispensaries in affluent and academic areas likely attracts these demographics.
Mattingly also pointed to improved access to medical cannabis as a factor. Higher-income individuals generally have better healthcare access, which might include medical cannabis prescriptions, especially for older adults managing pain.
Another noteworthy finding was that cannabis use is highest among non-Hispanic multiracial individuals, with over 25% reporting usage in 2022. This group’s increasing population density and the resulting greater representation in observational research highlight the need for more inclusive studies.
In conclusion, while the study sheds light on the increasing acceptance and use of cannabis among American adults, it also emphasizes the unchanged consumption rates among teens. The complex interplay of societal changes, legal regulations, and broader substance use trends are crucial factors shaping these patterns.