One of the largest arguments against legalizing marijuana was that teenagers would start smoking it more. However, rates of cannabis utilization among teenagers in Colorado have not changed much in the last couple of years since the state’s voters legalized cannabis about four years ago. This is supported by recent survey data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Last year, approximately twenty-one percent of teenagers in Colorado had used cannabis at least once in the last month. That rate is lower than the nation average; according to a previous poll, twenty-five percent of teenagers had used marijuana in the last month throughout the country in 2009. The statistics came from a random sample of around 17,000 students from both middle school as well as high school.
“The survey shows marijuana use has not increased since legalization, with four of five high school students continuing to say they don’t use marijuana, even occasionally,” the Colorado health department said.
The statistics from Colorado are being looked at by legislatures throughout the country. They have considered Colorado to be a testing site for cannabis legalization. There are concerns because researchers have found that teenagers are more likely to become addicted to the drug and will more likely have higher risks of mental and physical health problems in the future. But opponents can now put these worries to rest.
“These statistics clearly debunk the theory that making marijuana legal for adults will result in more teen use,” said Mason Tvert, director of communications for the Marijuana Policy Project, in a statement. “Levels of teen use in Colorado have not increased since it ended marijuana prohibition, and they are lower than the national average. Elected officials and voters in states that are considering similar proposals should be wary of claims that it will hurt teens.”
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