Researchers at Montana State University (USA) examined several health surveys conducted among high school students between 1991 and 2017.
1.4 million high school students between 1991 and 2017. These are the data studied on cannabis consumption habits among young people between 1991 and 2017, and the results are unambiguous. While overall cannabis use among young people has increased in the United States, use among teenagers has fallen by almost 10% in states where recreational cannabis use has been legalized. 33 states have legalized cannabis for medical purposes, while 10 states have also legalized recreational use. Cannabis use remains illegal in all states for people under 18.
In states where recreational cannabis has been legalized, the number of high school students reporting having used cannabis at least once in the previous month is down 8%, while the number of young people reporting having used it at least 10 times in the last 30 days is down 9%. The number of both occasional and regular users has therefore fallen.
The reasons for this drop? It’s all down to the difficulty of buying cannabis. Legalization is tough on those under the age of majority, and it also wipes out illegal sales networks, leaving minors unable to buy weed.
The American study is available here
Jacob
