Cannabis, Pediatrics / 12.05.2026
Adolescents View Cannabis as Less Harmful Than Alcohol and Tobacco — New California Survey Data
Editor's note: This piece discusses mental health issues. If you have experienced suicidal thoughts or have lost someone to suicide and want to seek help, you can contact the Crisis Text Line by texting "START" to 741-741 or call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.
Prof. Shu-Hong Zhu[/caption]
Shu-Hong Zhu, Ph.D.
Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health and
Director of the Center for Research and Intervention in Tobacco Control (CRITC)
University of California, San Diego
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Cannabis use in the U.S. has steadily increased over recent decades. As use rates increased, perceptions that cannabis use is harmful have trended in the opposite direction.
Declining harm perceptions in the broader population are concerning in part because of their influence on adolescents. Regular cannabis use during adolescents can negatively impact overall functioning, cognition, and educational achievement. It can lead to depression, psychosis, and suicidality. If young people don’t perceive cannabis as harmful, they are more likely to use it and suffer these effects.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which adolescents view the everyday and occasional use of cannabis as harmful, and to compare their perceptions of cannabis to their perceptions of alcohol, cigarettes, and nicotine vapes. It used data from over 160,000 students who took the 2019−2020 California Student Tobacco Survey and over 16,000 who took the 2024 California Youth Tobacco Survey.
Please note: Cannabis laws and regulations vary by state and locality. Cannabis use may have significant health risks, particularly for adolescents, pregnant individuals, and those with a history of mental health conditions. Cannabis has not been approved by the FDA for most uses and may interact with medications. Do not use cannabis as a substitute for medical treatment. The information in this post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about cannabis use. Do not use cannabis products if pregnant, nursing or may become pregnant. Children should never be exposed to cannabis products.
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_73658" align="alignleft" width="130"] Prof. Shu-Hong Zhu[/caption]
Shu-Hong Zhu, Ph.D.
Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health and
Director of the Center for Research and Intervention in Tobacco Control (CRITC)
University of California, San Diego
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Cannabis use in the U.S. has steadily increased over recent decades. As use rates increased, perceptions that cannabis use is harmful have trended in the opposite direction.
Declining harm perceptions in the broader population are concerning in part because of their influence on adolescents. Regular cannabis use during adolescents can negatively impact overall functioning, cognition, and educational achievement. It can lead to depression, psychosis, and suicidality. If young people don’t perceive cannabis as harmful, they are more likely to use it and suffer these effects.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which adolescents view the everyday and occasional use of cannabis as harmful, and to compare their perceptions of cannabis to their perceptions of alcohol, cigarettes, and nicotine vapes. It used data from over 160,000 students who took the 2019−2020 California Student Tobacco Survey and over 16,000 who took the 2024 California Youth Tobacco Survey.