Among nearly 70,000 US middle and high schoolers, vaping of all cannabinoid types increased from 2021 to 2023, with 2.55 million teens vaping THC and synthetic cannabinoid use doubling among 11-13 year olds.
School health officials, pediatricians, youth substance prevention programs
2.55 million US adolescents were vaping THC in 2023, with synthetic cannabinoid use doubling among 11-13 year olds
What the researchers found
Significant increases in vaping of THC, CBD, and synthetic cannabinoids from 2021-2023; THC vaping peaked in 2022 while synthetic continued rising; prevalence higher among females than males in 2023; use doubled among 11-13 year olds.
Why it matters
The rise in synthetic cannabinoid vaping among the youngest adolescents is alarming given unknown health effects, while overall cannabis vaping continues spreading across all cannabinoid types.
The numbers in context
69,899 students; 2023: 7.4% (2.55M) vaping THC, 2.9% (999K) vaping CBD, 1.8% (620K) vaping synthetic cannabinoids; females exceeded males in 2023; 11-13 year old THC and synthetic use doubled 2021-2023.
How the study worked
Three waves of National Youth Tobacco Survey (2021-2023); 69,899 US middle and high school students aged 11-18; weighted prevalence estimates by year, age, and sex.
What this study cannot tell us
Self-reported data; students may not know what cannabinoid they are vaping; "don't know" responses for synthetics tripled (awareness issue); school-based survey misses dropouts.
How to read the evidence
Large nationally representative youth survey with three annual waves, though self-reported data and potential misidentification of substances are limitations.
When this study was published
Published 2025, data from 2021-2023
The bigger picture
The rapid growth of synthetic cannabinoid vaping among adolescents represents an emerging public health crisis with unknown long-term consequences.
Questions still open
- Why are females now vaping cannabinoids more than males? What are the health effects of synthetic cannabinoid vaping in adolescents? Are students aware they may be consuming synthetic cannabinoids?
Common questions
How many teens are vaping cannabis?
Which age group saw the biggest increase?
Read the original research
Adolescent Cannabis Vaping Trends (2021-2023): Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, Cannabidiol, and Synthetic Cannabinoids.
American journal of preventive medicine, 69(6), 107655
Citation
Chung, Jack; Lim, Carmen C W; Stjepanović, Daniel; Hall, Wayne; Connor, Jason P; Chan, Gary C K. (2025). Adolescent Cannabis Vaping Trends (2021-2023): Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, Cannabidiol, and Synthetic Cannabinoids.. American journal of preventive medicine, 69(6), 107655. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2025.107655
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