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Review
. 2023;10(2):198-209.
doi: 10.1007/s40429-023-00470-x. Epub 2023 Apr 10.

Assessing the Impact of Recreational Cannabis Legalization on Cannabis Use Disorder and Admissions to Treatment in the United States

Lydia Aletraris  1   2 , Brian D Graves  1 , Joyce J Ndung'u  1
Affiliations
Review

Assessing the Impact of Recreational Cannabis Legalization on Cannabis Use Disorder and Admissions to Treatment in the United States

Lydia Aletraris et al. Curr Addict Rep. 2023.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Policy implications from changes in recreational cannabis laws (RCLs) have raised public health concerns. While numerous studies have examined the impact of RCLs on cannabis use, there is less research on the risk of developing cannabis use disorder (CUD). This review summarizes the latest research on the effects of RCLs on CUD prevalence and cannabis treatment admissions.

Recent findings: Nine studies were published between 2016 - 2022 that examined RCLs and CUD or treatment. Findings generally indicate an increase in CUD prevalence associated with legalization, but effects differ by age group. There was no significant association between legalization and CUD treatment admissions, and CUD admissions decreased overall during the study periods.

Summary: To improve policy, prevention, and treatment services, policymakers should monitor RCLs' effects on adverse public health outcomes and researchers should consider the effects on individual and community-level characteristics. We discuss methodological challenges in conducting state-level research and provide suggestions for future studies.

Keywords: Cannabis; Cannabis use disorder; Marijuana; Recreational cannabis laws; State cannabis legalization; Treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of InterestDr. Aletraris reports funding from National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) during the conduct of this review (grant number 5R01DA047291).

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram of the included studies
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Johnston LD, Miech RA, O’Malley PM, Bachman JG, Schulenberg JE, Patrick ME. Monitoring the Future national survey results on drug use 1975–2021: Overview, key findings on adolescent drug use. Ann Arbor: Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan; 2022.
    1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. PEP21–07–01–003, NSDUH Series H-56). Rockville, MD: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 2021.
    1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Results from the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Summary of National Findings (NSDUH Series H-46, HHS Publication No. (SMA) 13–4795). Rockville, MD: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 2013.
    1. Gallup. Support for legal marijuana holds at record high of 68%. 2021 Nov. https://news.gallup.com/poll/356939/support-legal-marijuana-holds-record...

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