Cannabis Use Among American Parents Increases
A study shows millions of children live with parents who use marijuana on most days as of 2024.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Substance Abuse
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Cannabis use among parents in the United States rose between 2012 and 2024. Researchers estimate that 5.9 million children lived with parents who used marijuana on most days by the end of the study period in 2024.
Why it matters
Understanding parental substance use patterns helps researchers evaluate potential correlations with child health outcomes. The findings underscore a significant shift in substance consumption habits among American families over the last decade.
A study of 482,000 individuals found that 5.2% of parents used cannabis daily in 2024, with 6.7% meeting the criteria for cannabis use disorder. Daily cannabis use among parents was recorded as four times as common as daily alcohol use.
The players
Addictive Behaviors
This is a scientific journal that publishes peer-reviewed research on addictive behaviors and substance use disorders.
California Department of Cannabis Control
This state agency regulates the cannabis industry in California and provided research funding for the study.
The details
Researchers analyzed trends using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health to compare substance use across demographic groups. The findings were published in the journal Addictive Behaviors with support from the California Department of Cannabis Control.
Timeline
The study analyzed data covering the period from 2012 to 2024.
Health Landscape
This research utilizes the long-term data collection frameworks of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health to identify shifts in substance use within family units. These findings build upon established national benchmarks to highlight changing behavioral trends across the United States population.
The findings highlight a shift in household substance use that may prompt families to discuss health and safety impacts with pediatricians. Increased awareness of these trends can help parents better understand the potential health implications of their own substance use habits.
The takeaway
The data shows that parental cannabis use has reached a level four times higher than daily alcohol use. Families may benefit from evaluating how their substance use patterns align with broader public health guidelines regarding child safety.
What happens next
Researchers plan to conduct further studies to determine if parental cannabis use correlates with specific child health outcomes.
Further reading
Learn more about evolving trends in Substance Abuse across the country.
Live Poll
Do you believe the rising social normalization of marijuana use makes it harder to assess risks?
