Teens are more likely to use cannabis when it is sold legally, according to the results ofa study published in the medical journal Jama Pediatrics.
In the states of Washington and Colorado in the United States, recreational use of cannabis has been legal since 2015. Researchers at the University of California at Davis (UC Davis) and Columbia University wanted to understand whether this legislation had changed the cannabis use of younger people.
The legalization of cannabis increases the risk of consumption by the youngest
Scientists did a study with more than 254,000 teens in Washington state and Colorado. They found that negative perceptions of cannabis have dropped 14% and 16% since legalization among the same age groups.
“Although the increasing legalization of marijuana has contributed to the growing belief that marijuana is harmless, the risks of its use by young people are serious. Marijuana is addictive, has harmful effects on the adolescent brain, increases the risk of cardio-respiratory diseases and of testicular cancer. It is also associated with psychiatric illnesses and social problems, ”recalls Magdalena Cerdà, author of the study.
Cannabis use among 13-14 year olds and 15-16 year olds has increased by 2% and 4% respectively in Washington state since the 2015 law.
Cannabis is not necessarily the solution to treating depressive disorders
“Even though legalization for recreational use is currently limited to adults, the potential impact on adolescents is worrying,” emphasizes Magdalena Cerdà.
“Evidence indicates that legalizing marijuana has already increased rates of unintentional exposure to marijuana in young children and may increase use by adolescents.” Therefore, the American College of Pediatricians wants legislation to restrict the availability of marijuana except under specific medical conditions.
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