Reefer madness or much ado about nothing? Cannabis legalization outcomes among young adults in the United States

In 2012, Colorado became one of the first two U.S. States to legalize cannabis for recreational use for adults 21 and older. Given that cannabis use holds potential physical and mental health risks, particularly among adolescent users, concerns have grown regarding changes in use following this change in policy. Studies examining medical cannabis legalization have found inconsistent changes in cannabis use and prevalence of dependence following medical implementation. However, recreational legalization holds potential unique changes, such as increased availability and social acceptance, as well as decreased price and perceived harm of use.
Source: International Journal of Drug Policy - Category: Addiction Authors: Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research