A new study published in Drug and Alcohol Independence suggests that cannabis use increases as the year progresses and peaks in the final months of the calendar year.

According to researchers, on average, cannabis use is 13 per cent higher in the final months of the year than at the beginning.

To better understand seasonal trends and cannabis use, researchers examined data from 282,768 adolescents and adults who responded to the U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2015 to 2019, reports News Medical.

According to the study abstract, the trend was nearly consistent among all subgroups surveyed, with researchers taking into account age, sex, race/ethnicity and education, except for one group: teenagers.

Among teenaged cannabis consumers, their usage peaked during the summer months.

Joseph Palamar, the study’s lead author and an associate professor at Grossman School of Medicine at New York University, told News Medical that the decrease in cannabis consumption in the new year may be due to New Year’s resolutions and individuals abstaining from alcohol and drugs for ‘Dry January.’

Other hypotheses for the reduction in cannabis use during winter months include low supply after fall harvests and colder weather keeping people indoors.

“Ultimately, we hope that these findings can be utilized by researchers and clinicians alike,” study co-author Austin Le told News Medical.

“Researchers studying marijuana use should consider seasonal variation, as surveys administered at the end of the year may yield different results than at the beginning of the year. And for those who wish to reduce marijuana use, it appears the best time for such targeting may be later in the year — when use is highest.”