California has seen a drop in how many middle and high school students use marijuana in both 2016 and 2017 according to a state-funded health survey.
The 16th biennial California Healthy Kids Survey has found that just 4.2 percent of seventh graders reported ever using marijuana. The survey was conducted between 2015 and 2017 and released this week.
The report also found that there was a decline in teen marijuana use over the past four years, from 10 percent of seventh grade students in the 2011-13 survey to 7.9 percent in 2013-15. Similar results were seen with 9th graders and 11th graders.
Ellen Komp, the deputy director of California NORML, remarked, “Recreational use hasn’t caused any increase, and it’s actually causing a drop. I hope and expect the trend will continue.”
She added, “I think kids are figuring out that it’s smarter to stay away from mind-altering substances and cigarettes while they’re young.”
