"Until the onset of the pandemic, the availability of marijuana had remained persistently high. Between 78% and 90% of 12th grade students reported that it would be fairly or very easy for them to get marijuana from 1975 to 2019 (Table 9-11 and Figure 9-5a). In 2021—the first year measured after the pandemic onset—this level dropped nine points to 70%, which was the lowest level recorded by the survey at the time. It hovered at this level until 2024, when it dropped to a record low of 65% following a significant, eight point decline from 73% in 2023.
"Perceived availability of marijuana is also at historic lows in the lower grades in 2024. In 8th grade, it was 24%, and in 10th grade it significantly decreased six points to 41%. In 10th grade, a survey mode effect resulting from the switch to electronic data collection in 2019 indicates that estimates based on electronic data collection are seven points lower than those based on paper-and-pencil (see the ‘2019p’ and ‘2019e’ columns in Table 9-10). However, even with addition of seven points to the 2024 estimate, it remains substantially lower than any of the paper-and-pencil estimates since it was first measured in 1992.
"These declines in perceived availability are somewhat counter-intuitive and unexpected, given the growing number of states that have legalized recreational marijuana use, which would be expected to increase its availability. However, the declines do track with recent decreases in friends’ use of marijuana (discussed above in this chapter), and friends are often the primary source of many drugs, including marijuana. Fewer friends who use marijuana likely makes it harder to get."
Miech, R. A., Johnston, L. D., Patrick, M. E., & O'Malley, P. M. (2025). Monitoring the Future national survey results on drug use, 1975–2024: Overview and detailed results for secondary school students. Monitoring the Future Monograph Series. Ann Arbor, MI: Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan.
