In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in the attitudes towards cannabis in the United States. With the legalization of the drug in many states for both recreational and medical use, more and more people are incorporating cannabis into their daily lives. However, while the overall usage of cannabis has been on the rise across various demographics, one group seems to be bucking the trend – teenagers.
Researchers from the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville have analyzed data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health collected between 2013 and 2022. The study included responses from over half a million participants aged 12 and above. Surprisingly, while cannabis use has more than doubled in higher-income households and among individuals with college degrees, the prevalence of use among teenagers aged 12 to 17 remains unchanged.
The researchers attribute the overall increase in cannabis use to several factors, including the changing legal landscape surrounding the drug. With more states legalizing cannabis for recreational and medical use, it is not surprising that the overall usage rates are on the rise. The study found that cannabis use had increased from 7.59 percent to 15.11 percent over the 9-year period studied, with a slight dip in 2020 likely due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the growing acceptance of cannabis use, researchers are quick to point out that there are still many unknowns when it comes to the health impacts of the drug. Cannabis remains the most widely used psychoactive substance in the US, with over 60 million people reporting use in the past year. Some potential negative effects of cannabis use include an increased risk of psychotic episodes and cancer.
Moving forward, researchers are calling for more studies to be done on the health impacts of cannabis as its popularity continues to grow. Understanding the potential risks associated with cannabis use is crucial for informing prevention and harm reduction efforts aimed at reducing the prevalence of use in the US.
While the overall usage of cannabis in the US is on the rise, there are still many unanswered questions about the long-term health effects of the drug. As attitudes towards cannabis continue to evolve, it is essential that further research is conducted to fully understand the implications of its increased use.