The rate of current marijuana use among Colorado teens is in decline since the state legalized cannabis for adults, and remains lower than the national average, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s biannual Healthy Kids Colorado Survey.

Results from the most recent survey, conducted in 2023, are now available via the survey’s interactive dashboard.

The survey found that 12.8% of high school students in Colorado reported using cannabis in the past 30 days, down from 13.3% in 2021. This also represents a nearly 42% decrease since 2011, the year prior to the legalization of cannabis for adults 21 and older in Colorado.

Nationwide, 16% of high school students reported using cannabis in the past 30 days, according to the latest results of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey compiled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

The 2023 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey found that just over 40% of Colorado high school students reported it would be “sort of easy or very easy to get marijuana if they wanted,” which is 26% lower than in 2013. 

The survey also found a record high 70.2% of high school students think it would be wrong for someone their age to use marijuana, up from about 60% in 2011 and 2013.

Chuck Smith, president of the board of directors for Colorado Leads, was enthusiastic about the latest findings.

“We are extremely pleased to see the rate of current cannabis use among Colorado high school students continues to decline and remains lower than the national average,” Smith said. “Significantly fewer high school students report cannabis is easy to get today compared to the years preceding legal adult sales, which suggests our system is working as intended with regard to preventing youth access.”

Colorado Leads is an alliance of cannabis business leaders created to educate the public and policymakers about the importance of a vibrant safe and sensibly regulated cannabis industry and its economic contributions. It comprises licensed operators and ancillary businesses that recognize a sustainable cannabis business climate and responsible cannabis industry are critical to the state’s economy and the wellbeing of local communities.

While celebrating the “promising” data, Smith stressed continued vigilance and work was still necessary to maintain the positive trend, adding that “Colorado continues to be proof that regulating cannabis works.”