Recreational marijuana was officially legalized in Oregon on July 1, 2015, for adults ages 21 and over. Recently, a team of researchers led by the Oregon Research Institute have investigated a correlation between the recreational legalization of marijuana in Oregon and office discipline referrals (ODRs) administered to Oregon middle school and high school students for possession of marijuana when compared to schools throughout the United States between the 2012/13 and 2018/19 academic years. Additionally, the researchers incorporated how marijuana dispensaries located within walkable distance to the schools contributed, as well.
For the study, which was recently published in Health Economics, the researchers analyzed the ODRs on school records in Oregon and compared them to schools across the country in states that officially legalized marijuana after the 2018/19 school year. The researchers found a 30 percent greater amount of ODRs for substance use for middle school students in Oregon since the state legalized marijuana compared to schools throughout the United States. In contrast, they found no noticeable change in ODRs for high school students.
Dr. Gulcan Cil, who is an associate scientist at the Oregon Research Institute and lead author of the study said, “These findings can guide future prevention efforts because they suggest a stronger association between marijuana legalization and use at school for early adolescents, who are at a critical developmental stage regarding possible negative neurobiological consequences from marijuana use, and also at a higher risk for future transition to dependence.”
A key finding was that Oregon middle schools only in close proximity to a marijuana dispensary (one-mile radius) experienced an increase in ODRs, which builds on previous studies indicating that close-by marijuana dispensaries contribute to both an increased use of marijuana for youth, along with younger ages beginning marijuana use, as well.
This study marks the first time that marijuana use has been linked to the education system, and holds the potential to help scientists, legislators, and the public initiate preventive measures pertaining to marijuana use and young students.
“Personnel in schools with nearby recreational marijuana outlets may want to proactively monitor student marijuana use,” said Dr. Cil. “At the state level, lawmakers and state agency leaders may consider expansion of school-based programs to monitor and prevent substance use, as well as policies limiting outlets near schools.”
How will recreational marijuana legalization, and specifically close-proximity marijuana dispensaries, impact marijuana use in young students in the coming years and decades? Only time will tell, and this is why we science!
As always, keep doing science & keep looking up!
Sources: Wikipedia, EurekAlert!, Health Economics