Study Shows Rising Cannabis Use Among American Parents

A recent study reveals an increasing trend of cannabis use among American parents, raising concerns about child exposure and safety.

Between 2012 and 2024, cannabis use among parents surged, with researchers estimating that around 5.9 million U.S. children lived with at least one parent who consumed marijuana regularly by 2024. The data indicates that by this year, 8% of parents used cannabis most days, while 5.2% reported daily use. Additionally, 6.7% of parents met the criteria for cannabis use disorder (CUD).

The study highlighted that daily cannabis use among parents was approximately four times more common than daily alcohol consumption. This increase in usage was broadly observed across various demographic groups, with the most significant rises noted among younger, unmarried parents, those from lower-income backgrounds, and individuals lacking a four-year college degree.

Researchers from the University of California, San Diego, conducted the analysis using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which included nearly 482,000 individuals aged 12 and above. Their findings were published in the journal Addictive Behaviors.

Dr. Jarid Pachter, a family medicine and addiction specialist at Stony Brook Medicine, commented on the social acceptance of marijuana, stating that, “Marijuana has become so socially acceptable that people are starting to overlook the risks.” He was not directly involved in the study but emphasized that legalization does not imply safety.

Pachter expressed concern regarding the implications of parental cannabis use on children. If marijuana consumption is common in the home, children might perceive it as normal and relatively harmless. This trend correlates with other studies indicating that kids whose parents use marijuana are more likely to do the same as they mature.

While it’s not definitive that parental use directly causes children to use, there appears to be a significant connection. Furthermore, he noted that THC, the primary psychoactive component in marijuana, can impair attention, memory, coordination, and reaction time.

“When you have young children, you need to be alert and able to respond to their needs,” he pointed out. “I’m not saying that someone who uses marijuana can’t be a good parent, but I am concerned about the impairment when it comes to ensuring a child’s safety.”

Pachter’s caution extends to the normalization of daily marijuana use. He believed we wouldn’t easily accept daily alcohol use as harmless, so it’s important to view marijuana in a similar light.

Accidental ingestion of cannabis by children is another significant concern. “We’ve seen a notable rise in emergency room visits due to children accidentally consuming marijuana,” Pachter said. Symptoms can range from severe sedation and confusion to more serious issues that may require hospitalization.

The risk of developing cannabis use disorder increases with more frequent use, Pachter added. Moreover, research indicates that frequent consumption, particularly of high-potency varieties, is linked to a higher likelihood of psychiatric issues in vulnerable individuals.

Smoking marijuana around children brings additional risks of secondhand exposure. Marijuana smoke hosts many harmful chemicals akin to those found in tobacco smoke, and children can be exposed to THC through secondhand smoke, though the long-term health impacts are still being understood.

For those who consume marijuana daily, Pachter suggests self-reflection on the necessity of their usage and whether it impacts their responsibilities and relationships. Parents should especially consider how their cannabis use might affect their ability to care for their children.

The study does have limitations, such as not assessing the quality of parenting or children’s health directly. It also doesn’t establish a causal link between parental cannabis use and negative outcomes for children.

The researchers suggest that further investigations are needed to explore the relationship between parental cannabis consumption, use disorder, household practices, and potential impacts on children’s health and development.