Support for Youth-Protective Marijuana Regulations: Evidence From a National Survey of Registered Voters

Despite widespread support for marijuana legalization, concerns are growing about the effects of commercialization and high-potency marijuana products on young people. Few studies have explored public attitudes toward marijuana regulation, particularly as evidence of youth harms has become more apparent. This study examined the extent to which (1) support for recreational marijuana legalization and (2) agreement that policymakers should strengthen regulations on marijuana to protect teens were associated with support for strict regulations governing how marijuana is advertised, promoted, packaged, and sold in states where it is legalized.

A national online survey of registered voters was conducted in fall 2022. Data from 1,458 respondents were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression to explain variation in the degree of support for strict marijuana regulations as a function of support for recreational marijuana legalization and agreement that policymakers should strengthen marijuana regulations to protect teens, controlling for demographic factors.

Respondents who supported recreational marijuana legalization were less likely to support strict marijuana regulations. However, respondents who agreed that policymakers should strengthen regulations to protect teens were more likely to support strict marijuana regulations overall, after accounting for support for legalization and demographic characteristics.

Although support for legalization is associated with less support for strict regulation, belief that policymakers should strengthen regulations to protect teens is associated with greater support, across demographic groups, for stronger regulatory frameworks. Centering youth protection in public discussions about marijuana policy may therefore increase support for strengthening regulations in states where recreational marijuana is legalized.