Research funded by the US government has found no link between the legalisation of cannabis and consumption amongst adolescents.
The study compared middle-school student cannabis use rates in Nevada and New Mexico, analyzing data from 2017 and 2019 state-run surveys. Notably, adult-use cannabis sales were legal in Nevada, while New Mexico permitted only medical cannabis.
In both states, researchers observed an increase in the proportion of students who had ever consumed cannabis, as well as those who had consumed it within the past 30 days.
In Nevada, the percentage of middle-school students reporting ever consuming cannabis rose from 9.7 per cent in 2017 to 13.3 per cent in 2019. Similarly, past 30-day use also increased, from 6.3 per cent to 8.9 per cent.
Meanwhile, in New Mexico, where recreational cannabis remained illegal, lifetime use rose from 14.1 per cent to 17.4 per cent over the same period. Past 30-day use also saw an increase, rising from 8.9 per cent to 10.5 per cent.
While the data did show increases in adolescent consumption, the researchers suggested that legalisation wasn’t the primary cause.
“We did not find compelling evidence that the implementation of adult-use marijuana sales was associated with an immediate increase in lifetime or P30D marijuana use among middle school youth in Nevada, which aligns with previous research” the study states. Authors also emphasised that the “effect of adult-use marijuana sales on lifetime and P30D marijuana use was not statistically significant.”
The study, published in the journal Addictive Behaviors, was authored by researchers from the University of Nevada, the University of New Mexico, and the New Mexico Department of Health. Notably, it was funded by a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a federal agency.
The study also highlighted that female, nonwhite, and low-income school attendees in both states were associated with higher odds of both lifetime and past 30-day cannabis use.
The findings of the study suggest that policymakers aiming to reduce youth cannabis consumption rates should prioritise prevention among groups most at risk, irrespective of the legal status of the substance for adults.
“State-level prevention efforts should focus on sub-populations with an increase in lifetime or P30D marijuana use regardless of adult-use legalization status,” the study recommended. The authors further emphasised the need for primary intervention, particularly for females, students of colour, and those attending low income schools. As more states permit adult-use cannabis sales, the study stressed the importance of state-level surveillance systems to monitor substance use trends during early adolescence.
Cover image: Depositphotos
This story first appeared on leafie, view here
Author: Kevin Dinneen
