What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: THC.

Where was this research published?

Published in American journal of preventive medicine on June 15, 2026.

THC

Delta-8 use persists as teen marijuana use declines

Q: What did this research study find?

Among 12th graders, past-year *marijuana* use declined from **30.4% to 25.5%** between 2023 and 2024.

Marijuana and Delta-8-THC Use Among U.S. Adolescents Between 2023 and 2024.

American journal of preventive medicine • June 15, 2026 • Highly Relevant

🤖

AI Summary

This nationally representative study examined past-year use of marijuana and hemp-derived delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8-THC) among U.S. adolescents. Among 12th graders, marijuana use declined from 30.4% to 25.5% between 2023 and 2024, while use of any cannabis product fell from 31.5% to 26.3%. In contrast, delta-8-THC use remained statistically unchanged, at 11.4% versus 12.0%.

Among 12th graders who used marijuana or delta-8-THC, the share using delta-8-THC and the share using both products increased. Co-use was also common among younger cannabis users in 2024: 34.2% of 8th graders and 47.4% of 10th graders who used cannabis reported using both products. The findings suggest that youth-focused cannabis education, surveillance, and policies should address intoxicating hemp products alongside marijuana, rather than treating them as separate issues.

💡 Key Findings

Among 12th graders, past-year marijuana use declined from 30.4% to 25.5% between 2023 and 2024.

Good

78%

Past-year delta-8-THC use among 12th graders was unchanged, at 11.4% versus 12.0%.

Good

78%

Among 12th graders who used any cannabis, delta-8-THC use increased from 36.1% to 45.8%, and co-use with marijuana increased from 32.8% to 43.0%.

Good

78%

Co-use of delta-8-THC and marijuana was common among cannabis-using adolescents in 2024, reported by 34.2% of 8th graders and 47.4% of 10th graders.

Good

78%

The authors conclude that delta-8-THC and other intoxicating hemp products should be included alongside marijuana in youth prevention, monitoring, and policy efforts.

High

85%

📄 Original Abstract

Hemp-derived cannabis products containing delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol have become increasingly available in the U.S. and produce intoxicating effects similar to those of marijuana products containing naturally occurring delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Prevalence estimates of delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol use and co-use with marijuana among U.S. adolescents are needed. Using nationally representative Monitoring the Future Study data (analyzed in 2025-2026), the prevalence and frequency of self-reported past-12-month marijuana and delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol use among U.S. 12th graders from 2023 to 2024 and among 8th and 10th graders in 2024 were estimated. Regression models examined unadjusted associations of survey year with marijuana and/or delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol use and co-use outcomes in 12th graders. For 8th and 10th graders, only single-year 2024 estimates of marijuana and/or delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol use and co-use were available. Among 12th graders from 2023 to 2024, past-12-month marijuana (30.4% vs 25.5%; risk ratio=0.84 [95% CI=0.73, 0.97]) and any cannabis (marijuana and/or delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol; 31.5% vs 26.3%; risk ratio=0.83 [95% CI=0.73, 0.96]) use decreased; delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol use was unchanged (11.4% vs 12.0%; risk ratio=1.06 [95% CI=0.84, 1.33]). Among 12th graders who reported using any cannabis (marijuana and/or delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol), delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol use (36.1% vs 45.8%; risk ratio=1.27 [95% CI=1.01, 1.60]) and delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol and marijuana co-use (32.8% vs 43.0%; risk ratio=1.31 [95% CI=1.04, 1.66]) increased during 2023-2024. In younger grades, appreciable proportions of cannabis-using adolescents co-used delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol with marijuana (8th grade: 34.2%; 10th grade: 47.4%) in 2024. Despite declines in marijuana use prevalence, delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol use prevalence remained unchanged during 2023-2024 among U.S. 12th graders. Among cannabis-using youth, co-use of delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol with marijuana was common across all grades in 2024 and increased during 2023-2024 among 12th graders. Addressing delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol and other intoxicating hemp products alongside marijuana in cannabis interventions, surveillance, and policies is critical for protecting U.S. youth.

Paper Type

📄 Research

Publication

Journal: American journal of preventive medicine
Published: June 15, 2026
PMID: 42295130
DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2026.108410

Authors (7)

Alyssa F Harlow Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; Institute for Addiction Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, California. Electronic address: afharlow@usc.edu.
Adam M Leventhal Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; Institute for Addiction Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, California.
Rosalie L Pacula Institute for Addiction Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; Sol Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
Richard A Miech Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Gillian L Schauer Cannabis Regulators Association, Lexington, Kentucky; Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
+2 more authors