Trends in US adolescent cannabis use, 1991–2023

IF 4.1 2区医学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Addictive behaviors Pub Date : 2026-05-01 Epub Date: 2026-02-08 DOI:10.1016/j.addbeh.2026.108634

Stephen M. Amrock , Agata J. Sajkiewicz

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background and objectives

Cannabis use remains a major concern for adolescent health. Monitoring adolescent cannabis use trends and whether demographic subgroups might be differentially impacted remains important for public health planning.

Methods

Data from the 1991–2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), a biennial school-based survey representative of US high school students, were analyzed. Cross-tabulations and logistic regression models were calculated to examine lifetime, recent, and early-age cannabis use. Trends in cannabis use were examined by sex and race/ethnicity.

Results

Across different demographic groups, adolescent cannabis use rates have largely followed a similar inverted-U pattern, with rates peaking in 1999 and subsequently declining. Lifetime cannabis use decreased from 47.3% (95% CI: 44.5–50.2%) in 1999 to 30.1% (95% CI: 27.8–32.3%) in 2023. Recent use declined from 27.1% (95% CI: 24.6–29.6%) to 17.8% (95% CI: 16.2–19.4%). Early-age initiation declined from 11.5% (95% CI: 9.7–13.3%) to 6.5% (95% CI: 4.7–8.4%). A significant gender shift occurred: while males historically reported higher rates, in 2023, females demonstrated higher prevalence of both lifetime (33.4% vs. 27.0%) and recent use (19.4% vs. 16.4%). Consistent racial/ethnic differences persisted, with Asian adolescents reporting consistently lower prevalence and non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic adolescents reporting higher rates across most metrics.

Conclusion

Rates of lifetime, recent, and early-age cannabis rose through the 1990s, peaked around 1999, and have since declined. Where males formerly reported higher cannabis use rates, females now report higher rates of lifetime and recent cannabis use. Such convergence, noted to be robust across racial/ethnic groups, merits further study.

查看原文本刊更多论文

1991-2023年美国青少年大麻使用趋势。

背景和目标：大麻使用仍然是青少年健康的一个主要问题。监测青少年大麻使用趋势以及人口亚群体是否可能受到不同程度的影响，对公共卫生规划仍然很重要。方法：对1991-2023年青少年危险行为调查（YRBS）的数据进行分析，该调查是一项两年一次的以学校为基础的美国高中生调查。计算交叉表和逻辑回归模型来检查终生、近期和早期大麻使用情况。大麻使用趋势按性别和种族/民族进行了审查。结果：在不同的人口群体中，青少年大麻使用率在很大程度上遵循类似的倒u型模式，其使用率在1999年达到峰值，随后下降。终生大麻使用率从1999年的47.3%（95%置信区间：44.5-50.2%）下降到2023年的30.1%（95%置信区间：27.8-32.3%）。最近的使用率从27.1% （95% CI: 24.6-29.6%）下降到17.8% （95% CI: 16.2-19.4%）。早期启蒙从11.5% （95% CI: 9.7-13.3%）下降到6.5% （95% CI: 4.7-8.4%）。发生了显著的性别变化：虽然男性在历史上报告的发病率较高，但在2023年，女性的终生患病率（33.4%对27.0%）和近期使用率（19.4%对16.4%）均较高。种族/民族差异持续存在，在大多数指标中，亚洲青少年报告的患病率始终较低，非西班牙裔黑人和西班牙裔青少年报告的患病率较高。结论：终身、近期和早期吸食大麻的比例在20世纪90年代上升，在1999年左右达到顶峰，此后下降。以前男性报告的大麻使用率较高，现在女性报告的终生和近期大麻使用率较高。这种趋同在不同种族/民族群体中表现强劲，值得进一步研究。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Addictive behaviors 医学-药物滥用

CiteScore

8.40

自引率

4.50%

发文量

283

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： Addictive Behaviors is an international peer-reviewed journal publishing high quality human research on addictive behaviors and disorders since 1975. The journal accepts submissions of full-length papers and short communications on substance-related addictions such as the abuse of alcohol, drugs and nicotine, and behavioral addictions involving gambling and technology. We primarily publish behavioral and psychosocial research but our articles span the fields of psychology, sociology, psychiatry, epidemiology, social policy, medicine, pharmacology and neuroscience. While theoretical orientations are diverse, the emphasis of the journal is primarily empirical. That is, sound experimental design combined with valid, reliable assessment and evaluation procedures are a requisite for acceptance. However, innovative and empirically oriented case studies that might encourage new lines of inquiry are accepted as well. Studies that clearly contribute to current knowledge of etiology, prevention, social policy or treatment are given priority. Scholarly commentaries on topical issues, systematic reviews, and mini reviews are encouraged. We especially welcome multimedia papers that incorporate video or audio components to better display methodology or findings. Studies can also be submitted to Addictive Behaviors? companion title, the open access journal Addictive Behaviors Reports, which has a particular interest in ''non-traditional'', innovative and empirically-oriented research such as negative/null data papers, replication studies, case reports on novel treatments, and cross-cultural research.