Youth marijuana use in Minnesota continued its long-term decline in 2025, according to new state survey data showing that 96% of students said they had not used marijuana in the past month.

The findings come from the 2025 Minnesota Student Survey, the first conducted since the state legalized adult-use marijuana in 2023. The survey found that self-reported marijuana use over the past 12 months among eighth, ninth and 11th graders combined fell to 6.3%, down from 14.9% in 2013. That marks a 57.7% decrease over the 12-year period.

The survey also found a shift in how students view marijuana use. After a yearslong trend in the opposite direction between 2013 and 2022, more students in 2025 said using marijuana once or twice a week is moderately or greatly harmful.

State health officials said the numbers are encouraging, but they also stressed that prevention efforts remain important, particularly for younger children and teenagers.

“Despite positive trends, the student survey indicates that some of our children are encountering cannabis at young ages,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Brooke Cunningham. “We need to talk to our children about cannabis before they encounter it because we know the potential harms that early use can bring to their developing brains, mental health and futures.”

The Minnesota Student Survey is conducted every three years between January and June and gathers anonymous responses from students in grades five, eight, nine and 11. It is one of the nation’s longest-running youth surveys and is used by schools, public health agencies and community groups to track student wellbeing and guide prevention strategies.

Health officials say conversations about marijuana should begin early and evolve as children get older. For younger children, that can mean warning them not to eat unknown gummies or candies that could contain marijuana or other substances. For older children and teens, the discussions can focus more on legality, brain development and health effects.

The Minnesota Department of Health says it has also published new educational materials to help parents, teachers, coaches and other trusted adults talk with youth about marijuana in age-appropriate ways.