Teen Use of Marijuana Unexpectedly Drops in Washington After Legalization

The strongest argument against pot legalization has been that young people would have greater access and take up the habit. However a new study by researchers in Washington state found that teen marijuana use declined after recreational marijuana was legalized in 2012.

Researchers analyzed data from the Washington Healthy Youth Surveys of 2010-2012 and 2014-2016 and found that pot smoking dropped among 8th and 10th graders, but remained constant for 12th graders.

The study's authors noted that more research will be needed to determine if this will be a long-term trend and to determine what is causing the decline. Some legalization advocates have suggested that pot might lose some of its "cool factor" after legalization. But, it's still far to early to tell what the long-term impact will be on younger users.

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