For Immediate Release: October 30, 2024
New FAU Study Confirms Decreased Rates of Adolescent Marijuana Use in the U.S.
(Boca Raton, FL) – New research from Florida Atlantic University’s Schmidt College of Medicine released on Monday reports a “dramatic” decrease in the percentage of adolescents reporting use of marijuana between the years 2011-2021.
The study, published in medical journal Pediatric Reports and using data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey between 2011-2021, which surveyed 88,183 adolescents in grades nine through 12, found a nearly 8% drop in adolescent use rates over a 10-year period, coming as states continued to legalize recreational marijuana.
In 2011, according to the study, 23.1% of adolescents indicated they were current users. By 2021, this figure had dropped to 15.8%. Additionally, according to the study, the percentage of adolescents trying marijuana for the first time before age 13 also saw a notable decline, from 8.1% in 2011 to 4.9% in 2021.
This latest study echoes a wealth of previous findings that marijuana use among teens has declined over the past decade, as 24 states and Washington, D.C., have now legalized recreational adult use marijuana. It additionally provides important context for Amendment 3, showing that the rate of teenage use would likely decrease should Florida voters legalize recreational adult use marijuana this November, falling in line with the rest of the country.
You can read the full FAU Schmidt College of Medicine study HERE.
“These findings underscore the smart and safe reasons the state of Florida will benefit from passing Amendment 3,” said Morgan Hill, spokesperson for Smart & Safe Florida. “Across the country, as states legalize recreational marijuana for adults, we see declining rates of teen use, and we’re eager to make that a reality here in Florida.”
For more information about Smart & Safe Florida and the campaign to legalize adult use marijuana in Florida, please visit www.smartandsafeflorida.com
