Pseudo-underage patrons were required to show age identification at all 50 licensed recreational cannabis outlets visited in California, suggesting licensed retailers are effectively preventing underage sales.
Policymakers, parents, and anyone interested in how legalization affects youth access.
100% of licensed outlets verified age before entry
What the researchers found
100% of the 50 randomly selected licensed recreational marijuana outlets in California required pseudo-underage patrons to show valid age identification before entry. No outlet allowed entry without ID verification.
Why it matters
A key concern about cannabis legalization is underage access. This study provides evidence that licensed retailers have strong incentives to comply with age verification requirements.
The numbers in context
50 randomly selected licensed outlets. 100% compliance rate with age verification. Study conducted in California, which legalized recreational cannabis in 2016.
How the study worked
Compliance check study sending pseudo-underage patrons to 50 randomly selected licensed recreational cannabis outlets across California to test whether they could enter without showing valid age identification.
What this study cannot tell us
Tested entry, not actual purchase. Only licensed outlets were tested. Pseudo-underage patrons looked young but were of legal age. Does not capture fake ID attempts or illicit sources.
How to read the evidence
Well-designed compliance check with random selection, but limited to entry (not purchase) and licensed outlets only.
When this study was published
Published in 2022.
The bigger picture
While licensed outlets showed perfect compliance, the study raises the question of whether underage youth may instead access cannabis through illicit dispensaries, social sources, or fake IDs.
Questions still open
- How effective are licensed outlets at detecting fake IDs? What proportion of underage cannabis access comes from social sources versus retail outlets?
Common questions
Can underage youth buy cannabis at legal shops?
Where might underage youth get cannabis instead?
Read the original research
What is the likelihood that underage youth can obtain marijuana from licensed recreational marijuana outlets in California, a state where recreational marijuana is legal?
Journal of safety research, 82, 102-111
Citation
Fell, James C; Toomey, Traci; Eichelberger, Angela H; Kubelka, Julie; Schriemer, Daniel; Erickson, Darin. (2022). What is the likelihood that underage youth can obtain marijuana from licensed recreational marijuana outlets in California, a state where recreational marijuana is legal?. Journal of safety research, 82, 102-111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2022.05.002