Cannabis legalization is associated with lower non-prescription alcohol, nicotine and opiate use among young adults, a new study finds.
Researchers from the University of Washington analyzed trends in substance use between 2014 and 2019, and found that people aged 21 to 25 were less likely to use more dangerous drugs after cannabis was legalized in the state.
The study, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health last week looked at “six annual waves of cross-sectional survey data,” analyzing data from 12,694 adults.
“Contrary to concerns about spillover effects, the implementation of the legalization of non-medical cannabis has coincided with a decrease in alcohol and cigarette consumption and the abuse of painkillers,” the summary of the report states. ‘study.
“The weakening of the association between cannabis use and other substance use among 21- to 25-year-olds requires further research, but may suggest an increased importance of disease-specific prevention and treatment efforts.” cannabis,” the study continues.
The study also found that rates of past-month e-cigarette use increased in this age group after 2016.
Confirmation of previous studies
Another recent study concluded that the legalization of cannabis was associated with a decrease in the use of prescription drugs for the treatment of conditions such as anxiety, sleep, pain and seizures.
Last year, a study found that medical cannabis use was associated with a significant reduction in dependence on opioids and other prescription drugs, as well as an improved quality of life.
A meta-study published in 2020 also indicated that cannabis was a promising treatment option for chronic pain and could serve as an alternative to opioid-based painkillers.
Researchers published a study that year that found that cannabis can ease the symptoms of opioid withdrawal.
Another study from 2020 indicated that alcohol consumption decreased when medical cannabis was legal.
