Recent results from a national survey conducted by the University of Michigan reveal a sharp rise in cannabis vaping among middle and high school students.
In 2024, 57% of eighth graders who said they used marijuana reported that they vaped it, compared with 48% in 2021. The jump was similar in older grades: among 10th graders, use rose from 60% to 66%, and among 12th graders, from 58% to 67%.
Vaping is sometimes thought to be less harmful than smoking since burning the plant produces dangerous carcinogens and chemicals. However, researchers caution that the increasing use of vapes by teenagers poses addiction concerns.
According to the lead researcher Richard Miech, if marijuana use keeps growing among youth, more will end up addicted, which can damage both academic performance and personal relationships.
Flavored vape cartridges are becoming especially attractive to teenagers. Data shows that in 2024, 63% of eighth graders who vaped marijuana chose flavored versions, up from 47% three years earlier. Tenth graders rose from 41 to 53 percent, and twelfth graders from 36 to 50 percent during the same period.
Although recreational cannabis is only legal for people over 21, vape pens are relatively easy for underage users to obtain. They are also easier to hide because they do not produce the strong smell that smoking marijuana does. This makes it simple for students to stash them quickly if a teacher or administrator appears. According to research, flavors like fruit make these products more appealing than the natural taste of marijuana.
Health experts warn that overuse can lead to marijuana use disorder, a condition where individuals need stronger doses over time to feel the same effect. The Centers for Disease Control note that this type of dependence is becoming more common with high-potency marijuana products.
Michigan educators and medical professionals have raised alarms about the rising number of students using vape pens and cannabis edibles. Nikolai Vitti, Detroit’s superintendent, urged lawmakers to provide funds for vape detection devices, public education efforts, and stricter rules on packaging to reduce youth access. Some schools in the state have already installed detectors in restrooms to alert staff when vaping occurs.
In response, state lawmakers recently introduced a measure requiring the Health and Human Services Department to create educational resources for schools about the risks of vaping and high-potency THC. The proposal is now under consideration in the Senate’s education committee.
Stopping youth from using cannabis vapes or cannabis products in general will require concerted efforts from reputable industry actors like Tilray Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) (TSX: TLRY) as well as government and non-governmental actors seeking to safeguard future generations from the possible harms of marijuana use.
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