Due to the number of states changing their laws regarding both medicinal and recreational marijuana, some wonder about any increase in use, and alteration of perception of marijuana (cannabis) in the adolescent population.
This study examines changes in adolescent marijuana use and related perceptions in Colorado, before and after the implementation of legal commercial sale of recreational marijuana for adults which began on January 1, 2014. The findings should help ease those with concerns, as they seem unwarranted.
There was no significant change in lifetime or past 30 day use of marijuana among adolescents in this population. In fact, of those reporting past 30 day use, there was actually a decline in frequency of use and of use on school grounds.
There was a significant decline in the perceived harm associated with marijuana use, but there was no significant change of perceived wrongfulness, perceived ease of access, or perceived parental disapproval.
The authors state that they did not find a significant effect associated with the introduction of legal sales of recreational marijuana to adults in Colorado on adolescent (illegal) use. Therefore, the answer seems to be: No.
