Study: decriminalizing cannabis reduces the number of arrests and does not increase consumption among young people

According to a U.S. federal study According to the National Bureau of Economic Research and the University of Washington, the decriminalization of cannabis reduces drug-related arrests and is not associated with an increase in cannabis use among young people.

Researchers examined the effects of cannabis decriminalization on arrests and cannabis use among young people in five states that decriminalized cannabis between 2008 and 2014: Massachusetts (2008), Connecticut (2011), Rhode Island (2013), Vermont (2013), and Maryland (2014). Data on cannabis use were obtained from studies Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), whereas the data on arrests were collected from federal statistics.

The study notes that while 'a number of public health experts have expressed support for decriminalization or other liberalization measures, others have expressed opposition due to concerns about potentially unintended consequences, namely an increase in the prevalence of cannabis use and related problems, particularly among young people.»

After analyzing the data, the researchers concluded that the « decriminalization of cannabis in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Maryland have resulted in a significant decrease in drug-related arrests among youth and adults, suggesting that the [decriminalization] policy has had the intended effects. »Our analysis found no increase in the prevalence of cannabis use among young people during our observation period.”

«On the contrary, cannabis use rates declined after decriminalization, although further studies are needed to determine whether these associations are related. These findings are consistent with the view that decriminalization policies are capable of achieving their intended effects and that unexpected short-term consequences are minimal.»

Other studies have shown the same effect, including in states that have legalized cannabis—which is widely available here:

• Colorado: youth cannabis use down since legalization
• Young Americans have not used as little cannabis as they do now in the past 20 years
• Washington State: cannabis use among young people did not increase after legalization
• A new study shows (again) that legalizing cannabis has no impact on youth consumption