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. 2018;39(2):247-254.
doi: 10.1080/08897077.2017.1389801. Epub 2017 Nov 13.

Heterogeneity of state medical marijuana laws and adolescent recent use of alcohol and marijuana: Analysis of 45 states, 1991-2011

Julie K Johnson  1   2 , Renee M Johnson  1 , Dominic Hodgkin  3 , Abenaa A Jones  1 , Ann Marie Matteucci  4 , Sion K Harris  3   5   6
Affiliations

Heterogeneity of state medical marijuana laws and adolescent recent use of alcohol and marijuana: Analysis of 45 states, 1991-2011

Julie K Johnson et al. Subst Abus. 2018.

Abstract

Objective: To assess associations between enactment of state medical marijuana laws (MMLs), MML restrictiveness, and past-30-day youth alcohol use overall, and in relation to marijuana use.

Method: This quasi-experimental difference-in-difference designed study used state-level Youth Risk Behavior Survey data of 9th-12th grade students in 45 states from 1991-2011 (N D 715,014). We conducted bivariate (unadjusted) and multivariable (adjusted for state, year, individual characteristics) logistic regression analyses to examine the effect of MML enactment (yes/no) and less restrictive vs. more restrictive MMLs on five varying measures of past 30-day alcohol use (i.e., any use or binge) and alcohol and marijuana use behaviors.

Results: In the final adjusted analyses, MML enactment was associated with lower odds of adolescent past 30-day (1) alcohol use (OR D 0.92, [0.87, 0.97], p < .01) and (2) use of both alcohol and marijuana (OR D 0.93, [0.87, 0.99], p < .05). States with less restrictive MMLs had lower odds of past 30-day (1) alcohol use (OR D 0.94, [0.92, 0.97], p < .001), (2) binge drinking (OR D 0.96, [0.93, 0.97], p < .05), (3) alcohol use without any marijuana use (OR D 0.96, [0.93, 0.99], p < .01), and (4) use of both alcohol and marijuana (OR D 0.96, [0.92, 0.99], p < .05).

Conclusions: This study found that enactment of any MML, and of less restrictive MMLs, was associated with lower odds of past 30-day adolescent alcohol use among adolescents. With continued change in state marijuana laws, it is important to monitor the effect of their enactment and implementation, as well as their specific provisions (e.g. dispensaries, home cultivation), which may differentially affect adolescent behaviors.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Unadjusted prevalence estimates (means) of adolescent past-30-day alcohol and marijuana use behaviors, all 45 states from 1991 to 2011 (N = 715,014).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Unadjusted prevalence estimates (means) of adolescent past-30-day alcohol and marijuana use behaviors in medical marijuana law (MML) states and non-MML states, 45 states from 2001 to 2011.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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