A new study conducted by Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center (BMC) researchers examined cannabis use among young adults in the country of Georgia. The study published in Addiction found that cannabis consumption did not increase following the legalization of recreational cannabis. Georgia legalized recreational use and decriminalized cannabis possession in 2018. Adult use is limited to individuals aged 21 and older.
The study included a national, wide-scale survey conducted in 2015 (before legalization) and 2022 (after legalization). The researchers compared the data to assess cannabis use trends among young adults following legalization. Survey questions focused on legalization's impact on cannabis consumption, age of first use, perceived difficulty in obtaining cannabis, and gender-related differences in consumption.
The study found that usage did not increase following recreational cannabis legalization, but one finding indicated that the age of first use increased significantly. Another finding highlighted an association between cannabis consumption, tobacco smoking, alcohol use, and gambling. Data analysis also indicated an association with having a higher income. Males also had a slightly younger age of first use than females and less difficulty obtaining cannabis products.
The researchers believe that the findings can inform effective public health policy related to recreational cannabis use. According to study author Dr. Ilia Nadareishvili, "We saw that a country can carefully legalize cannabis use, without a surge in use in the mid-term. It would be reasonable to additionally actively regulate and control production and distribution, to restrict black market, control the quality of products while keeping populations, particularly young people, safe." The research team advocates for more longitudinal studies from different populations and socio-political contexts in order to develop effective cannabis and public health policies.
Sources: Addiction, Eureka News Alert
