Adolescent Marijuana Use and Perceived Ease of Access Before and After Recreational Marijuana Implementation in Colorado |
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Authors: | Scott B Harpin Ashley Brooks-Russell Ming Ma Katherine A James Arnold H Levinson |
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Institution: | 1. College of Nursing, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA;2. Department of Community and Behavioral Health, School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA;3. Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA;4. University of Colorado Cancer Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA |
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Abstract: | Background: As of January 1, 2017, eight states have approved laws for recreational marijuana use. While the social impacts of these changes remain under debate, the influence on adolescent marijuana use is a key policy and health issue across the U.S. Objective: To examine changes in adolescent marijuana-use behaviors in the first year after recreational marijuana implementation in Colorado, and to analyze the effect of retail marijuana store proximity on youth use and perceptions. Method: Secondary analysis of Healthy Kids Colorado Survey data from 40 schools surveyed before and after recreational marijuana sales were implemented (2013 student n = 12,240; 2014 student n = 11,931). Self-reported marijuana use, ease of access, and perceived harms were compared between years and by proximity of recreational marijuana stores to surveyed schools. Results: Adolescent marijuana use behaviors, wrongness of use, and perceptions of risk of harm were unchanged from baseline to one-year follow-up. Perceived ease of access to marijuana increased (from 46% to 52%). Proximity of recreational marijuana stores was not significantly associated with perceived ease of access to marijuana. Conclusions/Importance: In the first study of adolescent marijuana use and perceptions after state retail implementation of recreational marijuana, there was little change in adolescent marijuana use but a significant change in perception of ease of access. Public health workers and policymakers should continue to monitor these changes as essential for evaluating the impact of liberalization of marijuana policies. |
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Keywords: | Adolescent marijuana legislation drug youth surveys |
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