420 with CNW — New Report Shows That Marijuana Legalization Hasn’t Caused Increase in Use Among Youth
Last week, the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education and Regulation released a report showing that the legalization of marijuana at the state-level didn’t lead to an increase in consumption among the youth. The analysis provides insights on various methods of prevention and points to studies which refute claims that the establishment of regulated marijuana markets would lead to an increase in the number of underage individuals consuming cannabis. Such claims have often been made by marijuana prohibitionists.
The tobacco and alcohol industry-backed cannabis policy group has many members, including Constellation Brands, Molson Coors Beverage Company, the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers, the National Association of Convenience Stores, Brink’s Company and Altria Client Services. The group is cochaired by Greg Walden, a former Oregon representative, and Tom Daschle, the former Senate Majority Leader, neither of whom cosponsored or sponsored measures to legalize cannabis while in Congress.
The new report also highlights researchers’ findings showing that the use of cannabis among youth either remained unchanged or reduced in regulated marijuana markets. These findings are supported by data from recently conducted federal surveys, with one survey finding that the use of cannabis and overall consumption of illicit substances among youth actually decreased significantly in 2021.
The Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education and Regulation’s evidence from its reports also showed that increased exposure to science-based, community-driven, after-school programming, access to research and government guidance discouraged the underage use of cannabis. The group also argued that establishing regulated marijuana markets could reduce the use of drugs among the youth by undermining the illicit market, where age limits and IDs weren’t imposed.
In addition to this, the group explained that local communities needed to be at the core of efforts to decrease the use and misuse of marijuana among the youth, noting that community approaches needed to be driven by science and data to continuously adapt to changes. The coalition then asserted that federal regulatory systems needed to include policies to finance community systems and ensure that the necessary resources were available.
The group released its report ahead of an event it plans to host soon that will focus on youth prevention. The event will feature Sen. John Hickenlooper, who was the serving governor of Colorado at the time of the state’s vote to legalize adult-use cannabis about a decade ago. Despite opposing it at the time, Hickenlooper oversaw the program’s implementation and has since come around to supporting reform.
Statistics showing that underage use of cannabis actually declines once a state legalizes the herb backs what marijuana industry players such as Flora Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: FLGC) have always believed that cannabis legalization triggers a positive domino effect on various aspects of society.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Flora Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: FLGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/FLGC
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer
Last week, the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education and Regulation released a report showing that the legalization of marijuana at the state-level didn’t lead to an increase in consumption among the youth. The analysis provides insights on various methods of prevention and points to studies which refute claims that the establishment of regulated marijuana markets would lead to an increase in the number of underage individuals consuming cannabis. Such claims have often been made by marijuana prohibitionists.
The tobacco and alcohol industry-backed cannabis policy group has many members, including Constellation Brands, Molson Coors Beverage Company, the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers, the National Association of Convenience Stores, Brink’s Company and Altria Client Services. The group is cochaired by Greg Walden, a former Oregon representative, and Tom Daschle, the former Senate Majority Leader, neither of whom cosponsored or sponsored measures to legalize cannabis while in Congress.
The new report also highlights researchers’ findings showing that the use of cannabis among youth either remained unchanged or reduced in regulated marijuana markets. These findings are supported by data from recently conducted federal surveys, with one survey finding that the use of cannabis and overall consumption of illicit substances among youth actually decreased significantly in 2021.
The Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education and Regulation’s evidence from its reports also showed that increased exposure to science-based, community-driven, after-school programming, access to research and government guidance discouraged the underage use of cannabis. The group also argued that establishing regulated marijuana markets could reduce the use of drugs among the youth by undermining the illicit market, where age limits and IDs weren’t imposed.
In addition to this, the group explained that local communities needed to be at the core of efforts to decrease the use and misuse of marijuana among the youth, noting that community approaches needed to be driven by science and data to continuously adapt to changes. The coalition then asserted that federal regulatory systems needed to include policies to finance community systems and ensure that the necessary resources were available.
The group released its report ahead of an event it plans to host soon that will focus on youth prevention. The event will feature Sen. John Hickenlooper, who was the serving governor of Colorado at the time of the state’s vote to legalize adult-use cannabis about a decade ago. Despite opposing it at the time, Hickenlooper oversaw the program’s implementation and has since come around to supporting reform.
Statistics showing that underage use of cannabis actually declines once a state legalizes the herb backs what marijuana industry players such as Flora Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: FLGC) have always believed that cannabis legalization triggers a positive domino effect on various aspects of society.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Flora Growth Corp. (NASDAQ: FLGC) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/FLGC
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW420, wherever published or re-published: http://CNW.fm/Disclaimer
