Scientists warn against teens vaping cannabis

A new study highlights a worrying rise in the use of e-cigarettes to consume cannabis and potentially dangerous synthetic drugs among adolescents in the United States. This research, conducted between 2021 and 2023 among 69,899 students aged 11 to 18, shows a notable increase in the vaping of THC (the main psychoactive compound in cannabis), CBD (a non-psychoactive component), as well as synthetic cannabinoids (SCs), substances manufactured in laboratories to mimic the effects of THC.[1].

Increase in cannabinoid vaping among American youth

According to Jack Chung, a senior researcher at the University of Queensland, one of the most unexpected findings is the continued rise in the use of synthetic cannabinoids among adolescents. These substances are typically purchased from unregulated markets, meaning there are no compliance or safety checks, making them potentially even more dangerous, even deadly.

The study, published in The American Journal of Preventive Medicine, indicates that in 2023, approximately 7.4 % of US adolescents, or about 2.55 million, reported vaping THC. Additionally, 2.9 % (about 999,000 youth) reported using CBD, while 1.8 % (about 620,000) vaped synthetic cannabinoids. While THC use appears to have peaked in 2022, SC use continued to increase in 2023. The study also reveals that adolescent girls outnumbered adolescent boys in vaping THC, CBD, and SC.

Faced with risks and uncertainties, experts call for targeted interventions

The study also highlights that more and more adolescents report not knowing what substance they vaped. In 2021, 1.8% of adolescents were unsure whether they had vaped synthetic cannabinoids, compared to 4.7% in 2023. This uncertainty illustrates the problem of controlling market supply and, consequently, the dangers associated with products that do not comply with regulations and are offered outside the legal framework. SCs, in particular, pose high risks because they bind very strongly to receptors in the brain, causing more intense, unpredictable, and sometimes more severe effects than natural cannabis.

Furthermore, adolescents who vape cannabis, regardless of its form, report more mental health symptoms compared to those who consume cannabis in more traditional ways, such as dried herbs or flowers. Gary CK Chan, also a researcher at the University of Queensland, points out that the long-term effects of vaping cannabis are still poorly understood, which reinforces the importance of knowing exactly what is in the products used.

This research differs from previous studies by analyzing the uses of THC, CBD, and SC separately, highlighting their distinct effects and risks. As for the reasons for this experiment, the researchers cite social pressure, curiosity, the need to integrate, as well as exposure to cannabis-related content on social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube.

Jack Chung hopes these findings will raise awareness and encourage concrete action. He calls for more resources to educate young people about the risks of vaping cannabis and recommends harm reduction interventions tailored to this age group. The study also calls on authorities to strengthen product regulations to better protect users, especially young people.

In June 2025, New Zealand researchers had already revealed that displayed nicotine levels were lower than those actually present. A survey by Oxford University also highlighted the risk of lung disease from vaping, even without a history of smoking, while a South African study from May 2025 raised the alarm on the link between vaping and deteriorating mental health in adolescentsFinally, very popular among young people, a growing number of studies tend to indicate that e-cigarettes can encourage them to vape more and then switch to traditional smoking.

A joint Australian study by the Daffodil Centre, the Cancer Council NSW and the University of Sydney had thus demonstrated in September 2024 that Teens aged 12 to 17 who have vaped are 5 times more likely to smoke : 12-year-olds who have vaped are 29 times more likely to smoke later than those who have never vaped. This risk is 11.5 times higher for 13-year-olds, 6.3 times higher for 14-year-olds, and 2.4 times higher for 17-year-olds.

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[1]Chung, Jack et al., “Adolescent Cannabis Vaping Trends (2021–2023): Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, Cannabidiol, and Synthetic Cannabinoids”, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, published June 30, 2025, accessed July 7, 2025

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