The Impact of Marijuana Legalization

Many states in the nation are making decisions about marijuana legalization for adults. It is important to think about the impact of these measures on children. Much like alcohol, these measures do not allow use by children, but will make marijuana accessible to adults. Many of these actions, for example the “Regulate Marijuana like Wine Act of 2012” initiative in California, would have legalized marijuana for recreational use for adults only.

What is the impact of a measure like this on adolescents?

Research has shown that the brain continues to develop past our traditional view of adolescence until at least age 22 for young women and 24 for young men. We also know that the earlier a person starts using addictive drugs, the more likely it is that he or she will become addicted. Children who start using alcohol or smoking marijuana at age 14 are six times more likely to become addicted than those who start using in their 20s.

Study Results

It is possible (some say likely) that marijuana legalization will increase easy access to marijuana, and the number of teens using marijuana will become more like the number using alcohol. In 2009 (latest data available from SAMHSA),  167,000 adolescents (17%), ages 12-17, used alcohol in the past month.  74,000 adolescents (7.5%) used marijuana in the past month. Additionally, adolescents begin using alcohol earlier than marijuana, possibly due to easier access at home or from older friends and family members.

Protecting children from marijuana means much tougher provisions than those governing alcohol and tobacco would need to be instituted. The alcohol and tobacco companies have business models which depend on addicting new users to stay in business, often by presenting advertising to children.

Research In Action

Marijuana legalization efforts have been seen in many states in the US and in some other countries. Parents need to be wary of these laws. While marijuana shows fewer adverse effects after the brain is fully developed (around age 26), there are many negative consequences on teens and young adults. Educate yourself and your children about the negative impacts. If legal, marijuana can become more easily available to teens. ASAP provides treatment for teens (age 13-19) who have a substance use disorder. More than half of the teens who attend these groups have marijuana as a primary drug of choice.

For young adults, we recommend that they not use cannabis, even if legal. If they are going to use, we would urge them to wait until they have reached the age of true brain maturity. Even after age 26 when longer term effects are less likely to occur, there are still issues such as driving under the influence and the length of time marijuana shows up in urine screens to work through.