A clinical review examined the evidence on adolescent cannabis use, covering both risks and evolving legal frameworks as more states moved toward legalization.
Clinicians, parents, and educators looking for an overview of adolescent cannabis issues.
23 states plus DC had legalized medical cannabis by late 2015
What the researchers found
This review addressed the growing tension between expanding cannabis legalization and concerns about adolescent use. As of late 2015, 23 states and DC had legalized medical cannabis, and 4 states plus DC had legalized recreational use for adults.
The review examined a range of issues relevant to the adolescent cannabis debate, including the changing potency and forms of cannabis products, the distinction between medical and recreational use frameworks, and the clinical evidence regarding effects on the developing brain.
Why it matters
As cannabis legalization continues to expand, clinicians who work with adolescents need up-to-date information about both risks and policy context. This review provided a framework for navigating these conversations.
The numbers in context
As of November 2015: 23 states and DC had legalized medical cannabis. 4 states and DC had legalized recreational use for adults 21 and older.
How the study worked
This was a clinical review article published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine, synthesizing current evidence on adolescent cannabis use across multiple domains.
What this study cannot tell us
The abstract provided limited detail about specific findings. As a review, it synthesized existing evidence rather than presenting new data. The rapid pace of policy change means the legal framework described was quickly outdated.
How to read the evidence
This is a clinical review article synthesizing existing evidence. It provides a useful overview but does not present new research data.
When this study was published
Published in 2016. The legalization landscape has changed dramatically since, with many more states legalizing cannabis.
The bigger picture
The legalization landscape has continued to evolve rapidly since this review, with many more states legalizing both medical and recreational cannabis. The questions about adolescent impacts remain central to ongoing policy debates.
Questions still open
- Has adolescent cannabis use increased in states that legalized recreational use? How should school-based prevention programs adapt to a changing legal landscape?
Common questions
Has legalization led to more teen cannabis use?
Is cannabis more dangerous for teens than adults?
Read the original research
Weeding Out the Truth: Adolescents and Cannabis.
Journal of addiction medicine, 10(2), 75-82
Citation
Ammerman, Seth; Tau, Gregory. (2016). Weeding Out the Truth: Adolescents and Cannabis.. Journal of addiction medicine, 10(2), 75-82. https://doi.org/10.1097/ADM.0000000000000199
Explore the wider topic
- How to Talk to Your Teenager About Weed (Without Losing Them)
- My Kid's Friends Smoke Weed: A Parent's Guide
- I Smoke Weed But Don't Want My Kids To: Navigating the Hypocrisy
- Quitting Weed as a Parent: Why It Is the Hardest and Most Important Quit
- Quitting Weed as a Teen or Young Adult
- My Kid Is Smoking Weed: A Parent's Guide