Cannabis use among young Americans fell in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic and the increase in the number of states that have adopted legalization, according to a recently released U.S. federal survey.
Cannabis use over the past year among 12-17 year olds has fallen from 13.2% to 10.1% between 2019 and 2020, according to the survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Among 18-25 year olds, consumption during the year also fell from 35.4% to 34.5% compared to the previous year.
Consumption among adults aged 26 and over has, however, tended to increase in recent years.
For this investigation, the researchers pointed out that the methodology has been changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, interviews were conducted virtually, rather than in person, for security reasons. Because of this change, “care should be taken when comparing estimates,” they said.
Data accumulation
Many studies were now that legalizing cannabis does not lead to increased use among young people.
For example, a study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association in September found that rates of cannabis use among adolescents do not increase after legalizations for medical or recreational purposes.
The director of National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Nora Volkow, also admitted in a recent interview that legalization has not led to an increase in consumption among young people, despite her earlier fears.
In a separate and earlier analysis, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that high school marijuana use declined during the peak years of state legalization of recreational cannabis.
According to the survey, there was “no change” in the rate of current cannabis use among high school students between 2009 and 2019. However, when analyzed using a quadratic change model, lifelong marijuana use declined during this time.
Another study released by Colorado authorities last year showed that cannabis use among young people in the state “has not changed significantly since legalization” in 2012, although the methods of consumption have declined. diversify.
In Canada, cannabis use among 15-17 year olds has fallen by 47% since legalization
