Adolescent Cannabis Vaping Trends (2021-2023): Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, Cannabidiol, and Synthetic Cannabinoids

Abstract

Introduction: This study tracks national prevalence trends in the vaping of different cannabinoids among U.S. youths. Current (past 30-day) adolescent vaping prevalence of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, and synthetic cannabinoids from 2021 to 2023 was estimated.

Methods: Data came from 3 National Youth Tobacco Survey waves for the years 2021 (n=20,128), 2022 (n=27,965), and 2023 (n=21,806), comprising a total of 69,899 U.S. middle- and high-school students (aged 11-18 years). The population estimates and the weighted prevalence of current adolescent vaping of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, and synthetic cannabinoids were estimated by survey year and separately by age and biological sex. Analyses were conducted in 2024.

Results: There was a significant increase in adolescent vaping of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, and synthetic cannabinoids from 2021 to 2023. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol vaping peaked in 2022, whereas the use of synthetic cannabinoids continued to increase. It is estimated that 7.4% (or 2.55 million) of U.S. adolescents were currently vaping delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, whereas 2.9% (or 999,000) were vaping cannabidiol, and 1.8% (or 620,000) were vaping synthetic cannabinoids in 2023. Notably, the prevalence of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, and synthetic cannabinoids vaping was higher among females than among males in 2023, where prevalence of both delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and synthetic cannabinoids vaping among those aged 11-13 years doubled between 2021 and 2023. In addition, uncertain respondents answering don't know whether they had vaped synthetic cannabinoids, tripled across the years.

Conclusions: This study reveals that vaping of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, and synthetic cannabinoids has increased among U.S. adolescents from 2021 to 2023. Further research is essential to understand the nature of adolescent cannabis vaping and its implications on youth health.