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The Impact of Marijuana Legalization on Adolescent Use, Consequences, and Perceived Risk
Ashley C Estoup1, Claudine Moise-Campbell1, Malini Varma1
1a Clinical Psychology, Seattle Pacific University , Seattle , Washington , USA.
Substance Use & Misuse
|September 11, 2016
Summary
Marijuana legalization in some US states is linked to increased negative consequences and perceived risk among adolescents in school-based interventions. Psychoeducation on underage marijuana use is crucial.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Psychology
- Substance Use Research
Background:
- Limited research exists on the impact of recreational marijuana legalization on adolescent substance use.
- Only a few US states have legalized recreational marijuana for adults, creating a knowledge gap regarding its effects on minors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of marijuana legalization on the frequency and consequences of adolescent marijuana use.
- To examine whether perceived risk mediates the relationship between legalization and problematic adolescent use.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 262 students in a school-based substance use intervention (2010-2015) participated.
- Data collected included marijuana frequency, drug use consequences, and perceived risk using validated questionnaires.
- A mediation model analyzed the pathway from legalization to increased use and consequences via perceived risk.
Main Results:
- A significant positive correlation was found between marijuana consequences and perceived risk after legalization.
- Adolescents in the legalization group reported higher perceived risk and more negative consequences, despite similar usage rates compared to the pre-legalization group.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent marijuana use and its associated negative consequences may increase post-legalization.
- Psychoeducation regarding the risks of underage marijuana use is essential for both adolescents and adults, given the trend of increasing legalization.
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