Another year that legalization of marijuana hasn’t increased its use among youth

Each year, a different organization conducts a survey examining whether or not legalization of marijuana has affected cannabis use among young people. And every year we get the same results: a resounding no, proving that despite an open market for weed, it’s no easier for young people to access.

The latest study confirms this fact again.

The analysis, published by the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education and Regulation (CPEAR), refutes many concerns among prohibitionists, particularly the drug’s effects on young people, whose brains are still developing.

🚨NEW STUDY🚨: CPEAR released its latest paper on #cannabis and youth prevention today. A regulatory framework based on science and data can provide solutions to address concerns about juvenile abuse.

Read the paper now: https://t.co/DWwyoxf404 pic.twitter.com/0iL6eUzE5O

— Cannabis Policy, Education and Regulation (@CPEARCoalition) March 16, 2022

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While many who stand in the way of legal marijuana claim that accepting the drug is risky, exposing adolescents and young adults to drugs that can have secondary side effects, CPEAR argues the opposite. They find evidence that government guidelines and cannabis research are teaching this demographic to be more aware and discourage underage use of the drug.

“CPEAR believes that local communities should be at the heart of any effort to reduce youth cannabis use and abuse. These efforts include extracurricular programs that include timely, measurable goals,” the report said.

CPEAR’s study is the latest to suggest legal marijuana has no impact on teen and young adult use. In December last year, a University of Michigan survey showed that youth had reduced their cannabis use over the past year. “The percentage of students who reported using marijuana (in all forms, including smoking and vaping) in the past year decreased significantly among eighth, tenth, and twelfth graders,” the authors said.

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NORML Associate Director Paul Armentano said these results show that marijuana regulatory policies are having a positive impact on young people. “These latest findings add to the growing body of scientific literature showing that marijuana regulatory policies can be implemented to allow adult access while restricting access and abuse by youth,” he said in an email.

Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

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There is no clear reason why teenagers and young adults are reducing their cannabis use. While it has nothing to do with the state’s acceptance of cannabis, it at least shows that legal cannabis programs don’t make it easy for minors to access drugs; While the black market allows for some wiggle room, legal cannabis companies don’t have that luxury.