Purpose: As recreational cannabis is legalized, it is critical to know the impacts of legalization on youth cannabis use. Existing research generates conflicting results and does not shed light on channels of effects. This study investigates the impacts of legalization on youth cannabis initiation and overall cannabis use prevalence.
Methods: We used Interrupted Time Series design and data from nationally-representative repeated cross-sectional Canadian surveys spanning 16 years. The primary outcomes were cannabis initiation rates and cannabis use prevalence among youths. The secondary outcomes were self-reported age of first cannabis use, ease of cannabis access, and perception of cannabis harm among youths.
Results: After legalization, cannabis initiation rate among youths was 2.7 percentage points (95% confidence interval: 1.7-3.7; p < .01) or 69% higher, although there was no significant increase in the overall prevalence of cannabis use. Furthermore, there was a 4-month delay in the average age of first cannabis use among youths aged 17-18 years (95% confidence interval: 2.6-5.5 months; p < .01). The legalization was associated with greater perception of cannabis harm but also easier access to cannabis.
Discussion: The impacts of legalization on youth cannabis use after 1 year are mixed. Although we observed an increase in cannabis initiation among youths who had never used cannabis, there was no change in the overall prevalence of cannabis use, implying a possible offsetting increase in cannabis cessation among existing users. To achieve legalization's goal of reducing youth cannabis use, policy measures are needed to curb youth cannabis access and initiation.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.09.003 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
A Path Analysis Study on the Influence of Social Norms on Substance Use Severity: Focusing on People Who Use Cannabis, Narcotics, and Psychotropic Substances in South Korea.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
December 2024
Suicide Action Forum, Seoul 07214, Republic of Korea.
This study investigates the effects of social norms on substance use severity mediated by health beliefs among people who use cannabis, narcotics, and psychotropic substances in Republic of Korea. A survey was administered to 109 people who use cannabis and narcotics and 191 people who use psychotropic substances between May and July 2024. Path analysis was conducted.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChildhood executive control and adolescent substance use: Mediation via parent-child relationship quality.
Fam Relat
December 2024
Department of Youth and Family Studies, Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Objective: The goal of the current study was to test prospective direct and indirect associations between preschool executive control (EC), parental affective quality and harsh discipline, and adolescent substance use (e-cigarettes, cannabis, and alcohol) while accounting for participants' age, sex, family history of substance use, and family socioeconomic status.
Method: Participants were 313 youth (49% boys; 70.9% European American) and their parents who participated in a longitudinal cohort-sequential study on the development of EC in preschool and its associations with subsequent health outcomes.
Exposure to Secondhand Cannabis Smoke Among Children.
JAMA Netw Open
January 2025
Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego.
Importance: The degree that in-home cannabis smoking can be detected in the urine of resident children is unclear.
Objective: Test association of in-home cannabis smoking with urinary cannabinoids in children living at home.
Design, Setting, And Participants: This cross-sectional study used baseline data from Project Fresh Air, a 2012-2016 randomized clinical trial to reduce fine particulate matter levels.
Effective interventions to prevent youth vaping behaviours: a rapid review.
BMJ Open
January 2025
School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Objective: To identify effective policies and non-policy interventions preventing youth vaping behaviour initiation and assess their effectiveness by the level of intrusiveness and subpopulations.
Design: This systematic rapid review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.
Data Sources: Searches on MEDLINE and APA-PsycINFO for studies published between January 2019 and November 2023.
Examining the Relationship of Cannabis use Patterns, Mental Health, and Sociodemographic Factors: A Focus on Cannabis Vaping, Smoking and Dual-Use.
Addict Behav
January 2025
National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia.
Background: Cannabis vaping, and co-use with cannabis smoking, can exacerbate the risks of developing respiratory diseases and cannabis dependence. This study aims to examine the mental health profiles and sociodemographic correlates of adults who vape cannabis and engage in dual cannabis use (vaping/ smoking), compared to those who smoke cannabis.
Methods: The most recent, cross-sectional wave of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study (Wave 6) was used in this study.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!