States where marijuana is still criminalized see people initiate cannabis use at a younger age, consume more frequently and drive while under the influence more often, according to a new, large-scale survey from a marijuana policy consulting firm.
Cannabis Public Policy Consulting (CPPC) analyzed a wide range of marijuana use trends and public health outcomes in 25 states—including those where cannabis is completely prohibited, where only medical marijuana is allowed and where adult-use is legalized.
The overall findings support the idea that regulated markets promote more responsible behavior and “encourage positive cannabis-related outcomes to public health,” the CPCC paper says.
(Disclosure: CPPC supports Marijuana Moment’s work through a monthly pledge on Patreon.)
For example, the survey found looked at the age of initiation for marijuana use, which is considered a key data point considering that the younger a person starts to consume cannabis or other drugs, the more likely it is that they will experience “negative short-term and long-term health outcomes, and societal consequence.”
The average age of initiation in illicit states is 16.7 years old, compared to 17 years old for both medical and recreational states. That difference may seem nominal, but as the researchers pointed out, “the difference
Read full article on Marijuana Moment
