Washington State: cannabis use among young people did not increase after legalization

Cannabis use among young people and admissions to treatment centers for cannabis overuse have not increased in Washington State since cannabis was legalized in 2012, according to the latest report from Washington State Institute for Public Policy, the agency responsible for issuing regular reports on the consequences of legalization.

« »Based on my overall assessment, there is little evidence that Initiative 502 (the law regulating cannabis in Washington State) has caused any change in the outcomes we observed,” said Adam Darnell, the researcher and author of the WSIPP report, in the Seattle Times.

One exception is that researchers found that adults used cannabis more frequently in parts of the state where per capita sales were higher.

In particular, the researchers used data from the study Healthy Youth Survey from 2016. The result is therefore not really a surprise, but it sheds new light on the effects of cannabis legalization.

In addition to the steady decline in cannabis use among young people, the WSIPP report highlighted the creation of 6,277 full-time jobs, generating more than $286 million in wages.

In terms of law enforcement, cannabis-related arrests have declined among both adults and young people, who are not permitted to purchase or use cannabis.

The report describes itself as a «snapshot of the current situation and an intermediate step toward a cost-benefit analysis of Initiative 502. The results may vary depending on changes in the implementation of the law and the availability of new data.».

The WSIPP also notes that there is no evidence that legalization has led to these declines in consumption, overconsumption, and violations of drug laws.

«Overall, these analyses should be considered preliminary,» the report concludes.

Future reports will include additional findings and will move closer to a cost-benefit analysis.

Colorado was reached the same conclusions on cannabis use among teenagers following legalization.