Study Reveals that Cannabis Legalization will Not Increase Cannabis Use for Children

by Aiden Kelly

The results of a new study, recently published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, reveals that cannabis legalization in the U.S. will not increase the likelihood for children to smoke cannabis.

The authors reviewed many annual surveys that were conducted between 2004 and 2013, and in total, reviewed 53,800 people that were over the age of 12.

The researchers’ goal was to give a closer look to how cannabis use in Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, new Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico and Rhode Island has changed over the past decade as different laws were implemented.

According to WebMD, results of the study revealed that overall, cannabis use did not change among those were younger than 26 years old following the passage of the aforementioned laws.

“There were only increases in marijuana use and in the perceived availability of marijuana use after the enactment of these laws among adults aged 26 and up,” states Dr. Silvia Martins, the lead author of the study. “It’s harder for [young people] to access it for recreational purposes and most of the medical indications of marijuana are for ailments that typically affect a larger proportion of older adults,” she continued.

However, they also found that there was a slight increase in the use of cannabis by 26- to 39-year-olds who used cannabis after a law was passed. And in those between 40 and 64 years of age, cannabis use went from four-and-a-half percent to six percent. Those older than 65 didn’t report much of a change in cannabis use though, with about a 0.5 percent increase.

There are many things to consider when studying the effects of cannabis laws, but this is an important answer to the question that many worried parents are asking.

Fortunately, this study only helps to solidify the fact that cannabis will not negatively affect the youth who live in states that have legalized, or might become legalized post-election.