Among LA tenth-graders, 31% had tried smoking cannabis, 21% had tried edibles, and most users consumed via multiple methods
A survey of 3,177 tenth-grade students in Los Angeles found high prevalence of cannabis use across administration methods (31% combustible, 21% edible, 11% vaporized), with 62% of users consuming via multiple methods and significant sociodemographic differences in product choice.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Researchers surveyed 3,177 tenth-grade students (mean age 16.1, 54% girls) from 10 Los Angeles high schools.
Ever-use prevalence: combustible (smoking) 31.3%, edible 21.3%, vaporized 10.5%. Past 30-day use: combustible 13.4%, edible 7.8%, vaporized 4.9%.
Among recent cannabis users, combustible was used most frequently (2.65 more days/month than edible, 1.75 more than vaporized).
Most cannabis users (62%) used multiple administration methods. 8.2% of all students had tried all three methods.
Sociodemographic differences emerged:
- Boys had higher vaporized use but similar rates of combustible and edible use.
- Lower SES students had higher combustible and edible use but similar vaporized use.
- The diverse sample was 48% Hispanic, 17% Asian, 16% white.
Key Numbers
3,177 students, mean age 16.1. Ever use: 31.3% combustible, 21.3% edible, 10.5% vaporized. 30-day use: 13.4%, 7.8%, 4.9%. 61.7% of users used multiple methods. 8.2% used all three. Low SES: higher combustible and edible use.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional survey of 3,177 tenth-grade students from 10 Los Angeles high schools. Part of the Happiness and Health Study prospective cohort. Self-reported ever use, past 30-day use, and frequency.
Why This Research Matters
The high prevalence of edible cannabis use among adolescents (21%) is notable because edibles carry unique risks including delayed onset leading to overconsumption, difficulty dosing, and accidental ingestion. The finding that most users consume via multiple methods suggests prevention needs to address the full spectrum of cannabis products.
The Bigger Picture
Cannabis legalization and commercialization have dramatically expanded the product landscape. This is among the first studies to document how adolescents are navigating multiple cannabis product types, revealing that polyuse is the norm rather than the exception.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Los Angeles-specific sample in a legalized state. Self-report may underestimate use. 2015 data precedes some changes in the cannabis market. Cross-sectional design cannot track progression across product types.
Questions This Raises
- ?Are edible users at different risk than smokers?
- ?Does polyuse escalate over time?
- ?Do adolescents understand the different risk profiles of various cannabis products?
- ?How should prevention programs address product-specific risks?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 21% of tenth-graders had tried edible cannabis; 62% of users consumed via multiple methods
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate. Large diverse sample from multiple schools, but single-city cross-sectional design limits generalizability.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2018 using 2015 data. Cannabis product diversity and marketing have continued to expand since.
- Original Title:
- Prevalence and Sociodemographic Correlates of Adolescent Use and Polyuse of Combustible, Vaporized, and Edible Cannabis Products.
- Published In:
- JAMA network open, 1(5), e182765 (2018)
- Authors:
- Peters, Erica N(8), Bae, Dayoung(2), Barrington-Trimis, Jessica L(5), Jarvis, Brantley P, Leventhal, Adam M
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01790
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why is edible cannabis use in teens concerning?
Edibles have delayed onset (30-120 minutes), making it easy to consume too much before feeling effects. They can also look like regular food/candy, increasing accidental ingestion risk. Adolescents may not understand how to dose edibles safely, and the effects can be more intense and longer-lasting than smoking.
Why do low-income students use more?
Lower SES students had higher rates of combustible and edible (but not vaporized) cannabis use. This may reflect differences in availability, peer norms, stress, or access to vaporizing devices (which require upfront purchase). The pattern suggests SES-specific prevention approaches may be needed.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01790APA
Peters, Erica N; Bae, Dayoung; Barrington-Trimis, Jessica L; Jarvis, Brantley P; Leventhal, Adam M. (2018). Prevalence and Sociodemographic Correlates of Adolescent Use and Polyuse of Combustible, Vaporized, and Edible Cannabis Products.. JAMA network open, 1(5), e182765. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.2765
MLA
Peters, Erica N, et al. "Prevalence and Sociodemographic Correlates of Adolescent Use and Polyuse of Combustible, Vaporized, and Edible Cannabis Products.." JAMA network open, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.2765
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Prevalence and Sociodemographic Correlates of Adolescent Use..." RTHC-01790. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/peters-2018-prevalence-and-sociodemographic-correlates
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.