A bipartisan effort to legalize cannabis at the federal level has been announced, with proponents arguing that the long-standing ban on marijuana has devastated lives, particularly in communities of color. The legislation aims to establish a framework for correcting past mistakes while focusing on public safety.
Yet, there is growing evidence suggesting that the effects of cannabis on children might not support this push for legalization.
Over the last 15 years, the movement toward legalizing cannabis across the U.S. has gained momentum. Even with some recent setbacks in efforts to decriminalize marijuana in places like Florida and North Dakota, support for cannabis reform is strong. Nearly half of the states now allow adult use of marijuana, and 46 have implemented medical cannabis programs.
While all states that have legalized cannabis set the legal age for use at 21, the usage rate among minors has raised alarms regarding public health. According to national data, in 2024, 16.2% of high school seniors reported using cannabis in the past month, with about 5.1% indicating daily use. Additionally, the potency of THC has skyrocketed, from around 5% in the 1970s to over 95% in modern cannabis products, making even street marijuana significantly stronger.
The current landscape of pro-cannabis sentiment appears to have altered teenagers’ perceptions of marijuana use. In the 1970s and 1980s, a majority of students recognized cannabis use as harmful, but today, fewer than half of 12th graders feel the same way—only 35% view regular use as dangerous.
This change persists despite research indicating that cannabis may be more detrimental to young people than previously understood.
The negative implications of teenage cannabis use manifest in various behavioral shifts. Initially subtle, these changes can lead to more pronounced issues like disengagement from school, changes in friend groups, and increased rebelliousness towards parental expectations. For some, existing mental health issues like anxiety and depression may worsen.
Extensive scientific research has shown that using THC significantly elevates the risk of addiction and can initiate the onset of psychosis disorders, including schizophrenia.
The trends favoring cannabis don’t emerge in isolation. Community leaders and policymakers, entrusted with safeguarding youth, have often failed to take meaningful action. Some argue that THC presents a safer alternative to alcohol and tobacco. Furthermore, cannabis-infused products are easily accessible in stores, and many parents still view marijuana through a nostalgic lens, mistakenly perceiving modern strains as harmless versions of those from decades ago.
Business interests are also at play, with conglomerates in the cannabis industry mirroring strategies once adopted by tobacco firms. Concerns arise regarding the impact of political donations, lobbying, and media portrayal on the ongoing push for legalization.
As debates over the public health consequences of legalizing cannabis continue, it is crucial that discussions and policies align with scientific findings and prioritize the well-being of youth. An international group of cannabis researchers recently concluded that no level of cannabis use can be deemed safe, especially during puberty. This assertion is echoed by both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. In Minnesota, for instance, school-based drug prevention programs now include specific information on the risks of cannabis, a positive trend that should be embraced by other states.
While recreational cannabis access for adults is becoming commonplace, it’s easy to assume that the regulations in place are sufficient. However, history tells us that young people often experiment with substances deemed off-limits to them. The pro-cannabis atmosphere in the U.S. presents a substantial public health concern for youth. It’s a situation that warrants more attention—after all, no single challenge of adolescence can be solved by turning to marijuana.
Naomi Schaefer Riley focuses on child welfare and development, while Ken Winters researches at the Oregon Research Institute and co-founded a cannabis policy initiative in Minnesota. This essay draws from chapters in an upcoming edited volume.
