Increases in frequent vaping of cannabis among high school seniors in the United States, 2018–2019.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the trends in frequent vaping of cannabis among high school seniors in the United States between 2018 and 2019. The study uses data from the Monitoring the Future national survey and examines the prevalence of frequent vaping of cannabis, defined as using the substance 10 or more times in the past month, among different subgroups of students.

Key Points:

* The study found that frequent vaping of cannabis significantly increased from 2.1% in 2018 to 4.9% in 2019, a 131.4% increase.
* This increase was larger than the increase for any vaping of cannabis, which increased 85.9%.
* Notable increases in frequent vaping of cannabis occurred among students aged 18 and over, female students, those who go out four to seven evenings per week, and those reporting past-year nonmedical prescription opioid use.
* The study also found that frequent vaping of cannabis is a risk factor for electronic-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EV aLI), particularly among those who exclusively vape ThC products and use such products more than five times per day.
* Research is needed to determine the risks associated with frequent vaping of cannabis and how use of other drugs relates to cannabis vaping.
* The study is based on data from the Monitoring the Future national survey, a cross-sectional survey of high school students in the US.
* The survey uses a multi-stage random sampling procedure and has student response rates of 81% in 2018 and 80% in 2019.
* The study focuses on 4,072 high school seniors in 2018 and 8,314 in 2019, a total of 12,561 students providing data on use.

Main Message:
The main message of this text is that frequent vaping of cannabis is increasing among high school seniors in the US, particularly among select subgroups. This increase in frequent vaping of cannabis is a cause for concern as it is associated with higher risk for cannabis use disorder and for higher risk of use of other drugs. additionally, frequent vaping of cannabis is a risk factor for EV aLI, particularly among those who exclusively vape ThC products and use such products more than five times per day. It is important to continue researching the risks associated with frequent vaping of cannabis and to implement measures to prevent and reduce its use among adolescents.

Palamar JJ. Increases in frequent vaping of cannabis among high school seniors in the United States, 2018–2019. Journal of adolescent health. 2021;69(1):153-156. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.03.034