One of the points often mentioned when discussing the legalization of marijuana is the idea that its marketing can entice you to use it, especially among teenagers. In fact, in addition to an increase in sales of some snacks, there has even been a decrease in its use among teenagers since its legalization.
This is a study conducted by none other than the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States of America. Not just with regard to weed: data suggests that the use of all substances monitored, such as alcohol, prescription drugs and tobaccodecreased linearly in this age group.
In 2012, the first laws on the recreational legalization of marijuana were introduced and the green light was given around 2014. The result of the document seems to speak for itself: the legalization may have actually reduced adolescent use (the target of the analysis were high school students).
In 2021, 15.8% of students reported having used cannabis at some point in the past 30 days (17.8% females versus 13.6% males). Compared to a record high for use of 23.4% in 2013, the popularity of the substance among adolescents appears to have declined sharply.
One of the main talking points against legalization, insiders say, may have given instead the opposite effect.
