A recent national study analyzing data from almost 482,000 U.S. individuals 12 and older found that cannabis use among parents has increased dramatically over the last decade, especially when looking at daily use of cannabis use.

The Study Found That:

  • About 1 in 12 parents in the U.S. reported using cannabis on most days during the past month.
  • Daily cannabis use among parents is now 4 times more common than daily alcohol use.
  • An estimated 5.9 million children in the U.S now live with a parent who uses cannabis on most days.

These findings suggest that cannabis use is becoming increasingly normalized within households with children. As legalization and social acceptance continue to expand, more children may be exposed to parental cannabis use, intoxication, secondhand smoke, or unsafe storage practices. Even though the long-term effects are still being studied, previous research has linked parental cannabis use to impaired parenting practices, accidental pediatric exposures, increased risk of neglect, and higher likelihood of substance use among adolescents.

Which Parents Saw the Largest Increase:

  • Younger parents
  • Unmarried parents
  • Lower-income households
  • Parents who did not have a 4-year degree

What Happens Next?

With cannabis legalization and commercialization influencing social norms, it is important to understand how cannabis affects parenting, child development, and overall dynamics within a household. Healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, and other providers should routinely screen for cannabis use and engage parents in conversations about potential health risks, safe storage practices, secondhand smoke exposure, and the ways cannabis use may impact parenting and child safety. They should also emphasize the critical role parents play in shaping their children’s attitudes toward substance use through their behaviors, communication, and expectations.

Prevention efforts should also include age-appropriate education for youth about the potential health effects of cannabis use, including impacts on learning, memory, attention, and mental health, as well as the importance of delaying initiation.

Access free marijuana and child safety resources, including a parent fact sheet, professional guidance documents, and a short video available in both English and Spanish, to support education and prevention efforts.

References:

Dontha, M., Chitty, T. C., Waddell, J. T., Kemp, E. C., Patel, H., & Pelham III, W. E. (2026). Trends in cannabis use and cannabis use disorder among parents in the U.S., 2012–2024. Addictive Behaviors, 179, 108654. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2026.108654