Cannabis Use Among Students in Grades 8, 10, and 12, by Sex — King County, Washington, 2008–2021
18 January, 2024
Data collected during seven 2008–2021 survey periods by the Healthy Youth Survey (Washington State Department of Health), restricted to King County students in grades 8, 10 and 12 were analysed. The observed overall decreases in cannabis use among students in grades 8, 10 and 12 might be associated with changes in the availability of cannabis among persons aged ≥21 years as well as limited opportunities to engage in use. The period 2012–2014 includes legalisation of nonmedical cannabis in Washington in 2012.
Researchers studying the association of cannabis laws with cannabis use among high school students (grades 9–12) have observed similar declines in cannabis use after legalisation of nonmedical cannabis. The legalisation of nonmedical cannabis for adults aged ≥21 years in Washington with licensed dispensaries requiring proof of age might have affected availability of cannabis to younger persons as well as their opportunities to engage in its use. This, in turn, might have had an impact on use prevalence.
Epidemic Intelligence Service, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention; Assessment, Policy Development & Evaluation Unit, Public Health — Seattle & King County, Washington, United States.
Cannabis Use Frequency and Cannabis-Related Consequences in High-Risk Young Adults Across Cannabis Legalisation
27 September, 2023
This study examined changes in cannabis use and consequences following recreational cannabis legalisation in Canada in a sample of high-risk young adults, addressing the common concern that legalisation may precipitate increases in use, particularly in this age group. Rather than detecting increases, however, the results revealed decreases overall, which is broadly consistent with substance use trajectories that might be expected among this age group in the absence of any policy change.
Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research/Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research, McMaster University/St Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton, and, School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychology, The University of Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Back to Facts in a Little More Depth