Nationwide Study Finds Teen Marijuana Use Rose and Mental Health Declined in States with Legalized Marijuana

 

Did you know that in states that have legalized marijuana, more young people are using the drug and experiencing greater mental health effects? 

Findings stem from a first of its kind nationwide study, commissioned by Drug Free America Foundation and Johnny’s Ambassadors, showing that teen marijuana use and mental health conditions are linked to marijuana legalization. According to the study, monthly marijuana use is 47% higher among adolescents and 81% higher among young adults in those states with fully legalized recreational marijuana. Additionally, relevant scholarly studies advise that this increase in marijuana use intersects with a dramatic rise in potency of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in the drug - in some cases, concentration levels of THC were found to be as high as 90%. 

Research indicates a strong link between monthly marijuana use among adolescents and young adults and self-reported depression, severe mental illnesses, and suicidal thoughts. This is significant because it represents the first nationwide correlative data linking monthly marijuana use and self-reported mental health disorders among adolescents and young adults over 51 geographical variations and 8 time periods. Findings also strongly support caps on high potency THC products. It’s important to be vocal and urge  elected officials who are pushing to legalize or expand marijuana distribution to thoroughly research dangers of high potency THC marijuana and the harmful impact it is having on young people. 

For information, please view the YouTube video from the “Marijuana…Know the Truth” campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOtW-ca5zxs&ab_channel=DrugFreeAmericaFoundation and read recent findings at the link: https://www.dfaf.org/nationwide-study-finds-teen-marijuana-use-rose-and-mental-health-declined-in-states-with-legalized-marijuana/