Overall, statewide legalization laws have not led to a spike in teen use, NIDA’s Director acknowledged.
Topic: Teens/Youth
Researchers concluded, “Our results indicate lower odds of initiating cigarettes, in every age group … in states with MMLs [medical marijuana laws].”
Investigators identified virtually no incidences of retailers selling cannabis to patrons without first validating that they were age 21 or older.
“Our results suggest that young adults who lived in an area with a greater density of any type of outlet were not significantly more likely to report stronger intentions to use cannabis.”
Researchers further reported that legalization was associated “with decreases in teen marijuana consumption, consistent with the hypothesis that selling to minors becomes a relatively risky proposition for licensed marijuana dispensaries.”
Investigators concluded, "In summary, we find no evidence to support the presumption that cannabis consumption leads to a decline in neurocognitive ability."
Researchers reported that adolescents who suffered from depression were more likely to use cannabis later in life, not vice-versa.
Investigators concluded, “Cannabis use does not appear to have changed following legalization among youth seeking services for substance use disorders.”