From Marijuana Moment:
A new report published by the the American Medical Association (AMA) finds that neither adult-use marijuana legalization nor the opening of retail stores in U.S. states led to increases in youth cannabis use. Rather, the reforms were generally associated with more young people reporting not using marijuana, along with increases in those who say they don’t use alcohol or vape products either.
The results of the study, published on Monday in the medical group’s journal JAMA Pediatrics, reinforce previous findings that legalizing and regulating marijuana for adults, typically does not increase youth use of the substance—contrary to what opponents of the policy change often argue.
The study drew from data in 47 states, looking at responses from 898,271 teens. “With parent consent,” authors explained, “students from ninth to twelfth grade self-reported prior month use of cannabis, alcohol, cigarettes, and e-cigarettes.”
Regulation Works!
This new report sheds light on a crucial aspect of cannabis legalization: its impact on teen drug use. Despite widespread concerns, the study presents compelling evidence that regulation of the cannabis market is actually safer for young people than prohibition.
Contrary to popular belief, legalization doesn’t necessarily lead to increased access and use among teens. Instead, age restrictions create a barrier that make it harder for teenagers to obtain cannabis compared to when it’s illicit.
In the interest of public health and safety, this report underscores the importance of moving towards a regulated cannabis market rather than maintaining prohibitionist policies. By implementing sensible regulations, states like Texas can better control the availability of cannabis, reduce its accessibility to minors, and allocate resources towards education and prevention efforts. This approach aligns with evidence-based strategies aimed at promoting responsible use and safeguarding the well-being of adolescents.