Surprising Study Shows Lax Marijuana Laws May Benefit America's Youth

One of the major concerns with recent laws legalizing medical and recreational marijuana in many states across the U.S. has been the impact the new regulations will have on children.

Many believed that the public's acceptance of marijuana use would encourage the next generation to use the drug even more. However, new research shows that the easing marijuana regulations may be having the opposite effect.

Pot Views Change

The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse published a study showing that marijuana use among teens declined from 2002 to 2013. For children 12–14, marijuana use has fallen 1.5 percent since 2002. Even more surprising were figures for 15–17 year-olds, which showed that only 22 percent were using pot in 2013, down from 26 percent in 2002.

The figures suggested that as adults are becoming more accepting of the drug, teens' using habits are moving in the opposite direction.

Related Link: Pot Breathalyzer To Make Marijuana Legalization Safer

Why?

The exact reason for the shift in teens' view of the drug is uncertain, but some believe it could be that the drug's legal status makes it less enticing. Another cause could be increased education about the drug, as more parents feel comfortable talking to their kids about the dangers of using marijuana.

Some Issues

While the study represents a step forward for supporters of marijuana legalization, it doesn't provide a clear picture of the effects the new rules are having on a state level.

Although the survey analyzed responses from over 500,000 teenagers nationwide, some say more information is needed to make an accurate judgement. States where marijuana policies are the most relaxed, like Colorado, will need to examine the effect of their new laws on the younger generation in order for the results to be conclusive.

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