Flavored Marijuana Vapes Becoming New Face of Teen Drug Use, Sparking Addiction Fears

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the University of Michigan have found that flavored marijuana vaping is the most common form of cannabis use among American teenagers. According to the annual Monitoring the Future surveys, particularly sharp increases in flavor use were seen among younger teens between 2021 and 2024. The study, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, revealed that among eighth graders who vaped marijuana, the percentage using flavored solutions jumped from 47% in 2021 to 63% in 2024.

Key Takeaways:

  • The percentage of eighth graders using flavored marijuana solutions increased from 47% in 2021 to 63% in 2024.
  • Among 10th graders, the percentage using flavored solutions climbed from 41% to 53% over the same period.
  • Among 12th graders, the percentage using flavored solutions went from 36% to 50% from 2021 to 2024.
  • The overall percentage of marijuana users who chose to vape the drug also grew over the study period, with increases seen among eighth graders, 10th graders, and 12th graders.
  • Flavored vaping solutions are being marketed as a discreet mode of cannabis use, with flavors enhancing their appeal, particularly among youth.
  • The study's authors suggest that targeted policies, interventions, and educational campaigns are needed to address the increasing concern of flavored marijuana vaping among young people.
  • Perceived risk among adolescents actually increased over the study period from 2021-24, and social acceptability has gone down.

Statistics:

  • From 2021 to 2024, the percentage of eighth graders using flavored marijuana solutions increased from 47% to 63%.
  • Among 10th graders, the percentage using flavored solutions climbed from 41% to 53% over the same period.
  • Among 12th graders, the percentage using flavored solutions went from 36% to 50% from 2021 to 2024.
  • The overall percentage of marijuana users who chose to vape the drug grew over the study period, with increases seen among eighth graders, 10th graders, and 12th graders.
  • 5% of adolescents meet the criteria for cannabis use disorder, compared to 3% for alcohol use disorder.

Sources:

  • Study: Trends in US Adolescent Use of Vaping and Flavored Solutions for Marijuana Consumption, 2021-2024 (DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2025.07.004)
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (funding organization)
  • University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research (research institution)
  • Monitoring the Future surveys (research study)