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Teen Vaping of THC, CBD and Synthetic Cannabinoids Climbs as Uncertainty Grows

Peer influence fueled by social media marketing drives teenagers to vape cannabis compounds they often cannot identify

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Overview

  • In 2023, 7.4% of US adolescents vaped THC, 2.9% used CBD and 1.8% used synthetic cannabinoids, reflecting marked increases from 2021.
  • The share of teens unsure about vaping synthetic cannabinoids tripled to 4.7%, highlighting widespread confusion over product contents.
  • Female adolescents report higher rates of vaping THC, CBD and synthetic cannabinoids than their male peers.
  • Young people with friends who vape are 15 times more likely to use e-cigarettes, and exposure to cannabis marketing on TikTok and YouTube further fuels experimentation.
  • Disapproval of vaping by parents and other key adults cuts the likelihood of teen use by about 70%, while unregulated synthetic cannabinoids from illicit markets pose unpredictable and potentially deadly health risks.