Marijuana Use Among Teens Declined in 2014

A national survey released Tuesday found that marijuana use among teens has declined over 2014 even though Colorado and Washington legalized marijuana for recreational use this year. The news may come as a surprise to critics of marijuana legalization.

The Monitoring the Future study surveys 40,000 to 50,000 students in 8th, 10th and 12th grade in schools nationwide and is conducted by the University of Michigan. The survey is now in its 40th year and polls the use of alcohol, legal and illegal drugs and cigarettes among teens.

Here are a few interesting marijuana figures from the study:

• Marijuana use by students in 8th, 10th and 12th grades declined slightly, from 26% in 2013 to 24% in 2014.
• One in 17 high school seniors, or 5.8%, say they use marijuana almost daily this year, down from 6.5% in 2013.
• Students in 10th and 12th grades reported that marijuana is less available than it once was.