New Study Finds That Marijuana Legalization Doesn't Increase Teenage Cannabis Use

A new study conducted at the University of Kent, UK, published in the International Journal of Drug Policy, found that get-tough marijuana laws don't stop teens from smoking pot and that more liberal laws have no impact on usage rates. One of the strongest arguments for those that oppose the legalization of pot for adults has been that it would encourage more teens to use the drug.

The Guardian: "Analysing data about cannabis use among more than 100,000 teenagers in 38 countries, including the UK, US, Russia, France, Germany and Canada, the University of Kent study found no association between more liberal policies on cannabis use and higher rates of teenage cannabis use."

“My new study joins several others which show no evidence of a link between tougher penalties and lower cannabis use,” said Prof Alex Stevens, from the University of Kent’s school for social policy, sociology and social research."

#news #research