Legalising marijuana increases its use and boosts cases of deadly cannabis poisoning, report finds

• In legalised US states, cannabis' use has increased among the over 25 year olds
• While in Uruguay, where it is legal nationwide, its use has risen for all ages
• In the US, the number of deadly cannabis poisoning cases have also increased 
• Drug trafficking has not eased in any region that permits marijuana's use
• Campaigners argue legalisation reduces use by taking away its rebellion factor

By Alexandra Thompson

 

Legalising marijuana increases its use, new research reveals.

In Colorado and Washington, the first US states to legalise the drug for recreational purposes, its use has remained consistently high among teenagers but increased substantially in those aged over 25, a study found.

While in Uruguay, which was the first country to legalise cannabis nationwide, 'all indicators of use have risen', the research adds.

In the US, legalisations have significantly increased the number of life-threatening cannabis poisoning cases and have done nothing to ease drug trafficking, the study found.

This comes after campaigners frequently argue marijuana is sufficiently safe to be made broadly legal, adding this may even reduce its use due to people being less inclined to take the drug out of rebellion.

How the research was carried out 

The researchers from France's National Institute of Higher Security and Justice Studies and the French Observatory for Drugs and Drug Addiction examined data from Washington and Colorado.

In 2012, these two states became the first to legalise marijuana for recreational use. 

The study also assessed cannabis data from Uruguay, which in July became the first country to legalise marijuana use nationwide.  

Legalising marijuana increases its use  

Results reveal while marijuana use among teenagers in Colorado and Washington remains at the same consistently high levels, its use has increased in those aged over 25.

In Uruguay, 'all indicators of use have risen'. 

Such legalisation has led to a significant rise in the number of hospitalisations for patients suffering cannabis poisoning, particularly among tourists, in Colorado and Washington. Cannabis poisoning can cause heart attacks. 

Sales of recreational marijuana have also steadily increased in the US, reaching $1 billion in each of the two states every year. 

Legalisation has also not eradicated marijuana trafficking in any of the regions where it is permitted. 

Yet, legalising cannabis has eased police burdens, as well as reducing the number of court cases.