Deborah S. Hasin, PhD1,2,3; Aaron L. Sarvet, MPH1,2; Magdalena Cerdá, DrPH4; et alKatherine M. Keyes, PhD1,3; Malka Stohl, MS2; Sandro Galea, MD, DrPH5; Melanie M. Wall, PhD1,2,6
JAMA Psychiatry. Published online April 26, 2017. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.0724
Question Are US state medical marijuana laws one of the underlying factors for increases in risk for adult cannabis use and cannabis use disorders seen since the early 1990s?
Findings In this analysis using US national survey data collected in 1991-1992, 2001-2002, and 2012-2013 from 118 497 participants, the risk for cannabis use and cannabis use disorders increased at a significantly greater rate in states that passed medical marijuana laws than in states that did not.
Meaning Possible adverse consequences of illicit cannabis use due to more permissive state cannabis laws should receive consideration by voters, legislators, and policy and health care professionals, with appropriate health care planning as such laws change.
