Legal cannabis and youth use

The Biden administration has finally asked to consider rescheduling cannabis. The industry is a boon to states, veterans, patients and everyday citizens who just want to relax. But the old argument that legalizing it would skyrocket youth use is presented. But what are the facts about legal cannabis use and youth use?

RELATED: Science Says Medical Marijuana Improves Quality of Life

No one in the industry encourages youth use. Product companies, pharmacies and farms are heavily focused on the adult market. There are no cartoon camels offering joints to those under 18. The industry recognizes that the brain is still developing until the age of 21 and the use of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana can have an impact. Additionally, cannabis has clear medical benefits, including helping with chronic pain, seizures, cancer, and more. Alcohol, which is obviously available, has no medical benefit and is much more harmful.

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States have observed how this works and have enacted marketing regulations and regionalized data information. Although more work needs to be done, there are studies that show legal weed and regular use among teenagers. rejects, it corresponds to the collected data.

Additionally, Generation Z is trending away from alcohol and toward a more Californian lifestyle. That doesn't mean they don't use alcohol or marijuana at all, just that it doesn't increase. According to a UC Davis study, alcohol consumption among 16- to 18-year-olds is about 30%, compared to 32%.

In fact, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report found that the percentage of high school students who report using cannabis in the past 30 days fell from 23 percent in 2011 to 16 percent in 2021. The decline was more pronounced in men than in women.

In a study published in the journal Substance Abuse, researchers from Harvard University, John Hopkins and the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission reviewed data from 46 states collected over a 24-year period.

The study found that there was no evidence that medical marijuana programs resulted in higher cannabis use among teenagers. Overall, there were fewer cases of youth using cannabis in states where medical marijuana is legal.

RELATED: Washington teens used less marijuana after legalization

“This study found no evidence of an increase in adolescents reporting more than 30 days of marijuana use or heavy marijuana use associated with state MML between 1991 and 2015 [medical marijuana law] Remission or operational MML pharmacies,” researchers quoted.