Cannabis Use Associated with Poor Academic Outcomes in Adolescents and Young Adults
Cannabis has detrimental effects on brain development, cognition, memory, and attention in youth. This systematic review examined the association between cannabis use and academic achievement in adolescents and young adults ≤24 years old (63 studies with 438,329 individuals).
- Moderate-certainty evidence indicated that cannabis use in youth was associated with decreases in the following measures: school grades (odds ratio [OR], 0.61), likelihood of high school completion (OR, 0.50), university enrollment (OR, 0.72), and postsecondary degree attainment (OR, 0.69). Cannabis use in youth was associated with increases in school dropout rate (OR, 2.19) and school absenteeism (OR, 2.31).
- Low-certainty evidence suggests that cannabis use may be associated with increased unemployment.
- Subgroup analyses demonstrated worse academic outcomes for youth who initiated cannabis use at a younger age (≤16 years old) and with greater frequency (weekly or daily).
Comments: This systematic review strengthens the association between cannabis use and poor academic outcomes in youth. It remains unclear whether cannabis use is a cause, correlate, or consequence of suboptimal academic achievement. Future studies could help clarify this dynamic and drive the development of interventional strategies, particularly as cannabis potency and legalization are on the rise and perceived risk is dropping in youth.
Emily Nields, DO
Reference: Chan O, Daudi A, Ji D, et al. Cannabis use during adolescence and young adulthood and academic achievement: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatr. 2024;178(12):1280–1289.