Among 10,395 children aged 9-10 tracked over 3 years in the ABCD Study, living in a state with recreational cannabis laws had no significant effect on their perception of cannabis risk, even after controlling for demographics, impulsivity, and religiosity.
Cannabis policy researchers and legislators; child development specialists studying substance use attitudes.
10,395 children; no legalization effect on cannabis risk perception
What the researchers found
There was no significant main effect of state recreational cannabis laws on perceived risk of cannabis use among children, and no differences in how risk perception changed over time between states with and without legalization. These null findings persisted after controlling for sex, race, SES, religiosity, and trait impulsivity.
Why it matters
A major concern about cannabis legalization is that it will normalize cannabis for children. This large, nationally representative study finds no evidence that state-level legalization laws change how children perceive cannabis risk, at least in the 9-13 age range.
The numbers in context
10,395 children from the ABCD Study. Ages 9-10 at baseline. 3-year follow-up. No significant main effect of state recreational cannabis laws (RCLs) on risk perception. No significant time-by-RCL interaction.
How the study worked
Multilevel regression analysis of ABCD Study data. 10,395 children aged 9-10 at baseline assessed longitudinally across 3 years. Multilevel modeling accounted for state-, family-, and participant-level clustering.
What this study cannot tell us
Assessed risk perception, not actual use behavior. Children aged 9-13 may be too young for legalization to affect their attitudes. Perception may shift during adolescence when cannabis becomes more socially relevant. Cannot account for local-level variation within states.
How to read the evidence
Large nationally representative longitudinal sample with rigorous multilevel modeling and appropriate controls.
When this study was published
2024 study
The bigger picture
While legalization may affect adult attitudes and use patterns, this study suggests that children's risk perceptions are shaped more by family, individual traits, and developmental factors than by state-level legal status, at least during late childhood.
Questions still open
- Does the relationship change during adolescence when cannabis use becomes more accessible? Do parental attitudes mediate any potential legalization effects?
Common questions
Does this mean legalization is safe for children?
Might this change as children get older?
Read the original research
State-Level Recreational Cannabis Legalization Is Not Differentially Associated with Cannabis Risk Perception Among Children: A Multilevel Regression Analysis.
Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 9(1), 343-352
Citation
Gilman, Jodi M; Iyer, Mallika T; Pottinger, Emma G; Klugman, Emma M; Hughes, Dylan; Potter, Kevin; Tervo-Clemmens, Brenden; Roffman, Joshua L; Evins, A Eden. (2024). State-Level Recreational Cannabis Legalization Is Not Differentially Associated with Cannabis Risk Perception Among Children: A Multilevel Regression Analysis.. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 9(1), 343-352. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2022.0162
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