Even the CDC now recognizes that access to marijuana among teenagers has declined precipitously since the reform movement took root in the mid-90s.
Cultivating further evidence that legalizing weed keeps it from falling into the hands of children via the black market, a new report authored by the Center for Disease Control indicates that access to marijuana among teens fell dramatically between 2002 and 2014.
“In addition, despite increased perceptions of no risk from smoking marijuana, obtaining marijuana nationally remains more difficult for persons aged 12−17 years than for those aged ≥18, which could explain the lower prevalence of marijuana use and initiation in this age group. In fact, since 2002 the perceived availability (i.e., fairly easy or very easy to obtain marijuana) among persons aged 12–17 and 18–25 years has decreased.”
Not just good for kids, this recent CDC study also showed a significant decrease in abuse and dependence among adults since the germination of legalization.
“Although NSDUH data suggest increases in daily and almost daily use among adults (both in the overall population and among adult marijuana users), they also suggest steady decreases in the prevalence of marijuana dependence and abuse among adult marijuana users since 2002.”
Coming to the same conclusion as a study published in the Journal of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, science has spoken; while legalized marijuana might not be every American’s cup of tea … it certainly doesn’t lead to increased access for America’s teens.
SOURCE: MARIJUANA.COM
