Teen Marijuana Use Plummets In Legalized States, National Data Confirms

By Javier Hasse via El Planteo

More than a decade after states began legalizing adult-use cannabis, fears about increased youth use have been definitively debunked by comprehensive studies and government surveys. The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) and new national data from late 2024 confirm that teen cannabis use has dropped in 19 out of 21 states with before-and-after legalization data, contradicting concerns that regulated cannabis markets would lead to increased adolescent access or use.

"[L]egalization by some states of marijuana has not been associated with an increase in adolescents’ marijuana use," National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Director Nora Volkow testified during a 2022 U.S. Senate Health Committee hearing.

These findings, supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey, and peer-reviewed research, highlight the role of strict regulations and age-gating in reducing teen cannabis consumption.

Key National Data: Teen Use Declines Post-Legalization

Both the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey and MTF survey data show substantial declines in youth cannabis use since 2011, with legalization expanding across the U.S.

• MTF Survey (2011–2024):
  • 8th grade: 7.2% to 4.3% (-40%)
  • 10th grade: 17.6% to 9.5% (-46%)
  • 12th grade: 22.6% to 16.2% (-28%)
• Youth Access to Marijuana (MTF Survey):
  • 8th graders reporting easy access: 37.9% to 24.2%
  • 12th graders reporting easy access: 82.2% to 65.1%

As Karen O'Keefe, MPP's director of state policies, stated: “By transitioning cannabis sales from the illicit market to a regulated system with age-restricted access, we’ve seen a decrease in youth cannabis use.”

State-Level Success: Washington, Colorado And Others

States with the longest histories of legalization, such as Washington and Colorado, have seen some of the most significant declines in youth cannabis use.

• Washington State:
  • 12th grade: 26.3% (2010) to 16.3% (2023) (-38%)
  • 10th grade: 20.0% (2010) to 8.4% (2023) (-58%)
  • 8th grade: 9.5% (2010) to 3.7% (2023) (-61%)
• Colorado:
  • High schoolers reporting past 30-day cannabis use dropped by 42% (22% in 2011 to 12.8% in 2023).

These declines are mirrored in other states like Oregon, California and Alaska, where similar patterns demonstrate the success of regulated cannabis markets in reducing youth exposure.

Why Teen Cannabis Use Is Declining

Researchers and policymakers credit several factors for the decline in teen cannabis use in states with legalized and regulated markets:

1. Age-Gating Compliance: Licensed dispensaries strictly enforce age requirements, unlike the illicit market where IDs are not checked. Studies confirm compliance rates near 100% at legal cannabis retailers.
2. Reduction in Illicit Market Influence: Legalization shifts cannabis sales from unregulated dealers—often accessible to teens—to adult-only, regulated stores.
3. Tax Revenue Allocation: Many states allocate cannabis tax revenue to education, prevention programs, and after-school activities, further reducing youth interest in cannabis.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association analyzing data from over 1.4 million high school students found “no significant associations between enactment of RMLs [recreational marijuana legalization laws] or MMLs [medical marijuana laws] and marijuana use among high school students.”

The Bigger Picture: A Data-Driven Approach To Policy

Since legalization began in 2012, fears of increased adolescent cannabis use have largely proven unfounded. Instead, regulated markets have contributed to a safer environment for youth, aligning with public health goals. By moving cannabis sales away from unregulated channels and enforcing strict age limits, states have demonstrated that legalization can reduce youth cannabis use while generating significant tax revenue and decreasing public health risks.

The evidence is clear: “[L]egalization… has not been associated with an increase in adolescents’ marijuana use,” as Volkow affirmed. Instead, legalization appears to have contributed to decreased use among youth, signaling a victory for evidence-based policy.

Cover image via Canva

This article is from an external unpaid contributor. It does not represent Benzinga’s reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy.