A recent study in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry has revealed a worrying trend: the legalisation of recreational cannabis in multiple US states is linked to increased cannabis use among adolescents and young adults. The meta-analysis, led by Dr. Aditya Pawar, scrutinised data from 30 studies to assess the impact of cannabis legalisation.

While medical cannabis legalisation across 38 states showed negligible effects on youth use, recreational cannabis laws in 24 states have significantly heightened usage rates, especially among young adults. This increase poses potential risks to adolescent neurodevelopment and suggests that early exposure may lead to dependency in later life. As noted in related research, “Marijuana legalization, even if restricted to adults, may be associated with decreased adolescent perception of marijuana’s harmful effects.” Furthermore, Kelsall highlights that “cannabis use may cause harms to the brain and development, and serious overall harm to the health of young people.”

The study highlights the need for robust public education and policy measures. Dr. Pawar emphasises the importance of regulating cannabis potency and availability, alongside promoting early intervention programmes. As legalisation advances, understanding its impact is crucial to protect young people and inform future policy decisions.

As more states legalise cannabis, it’s important to stay alert to how it might affect young people. If we’re not careful, we could be overlooking the long-term impact on their health and well-being.

Source: News-Medical-Net