Marijuana-Related ER Visits by Teens Nearly Tripled After Colorado Legalization
Despite national surveys showing no increase in teen marijuana use, marijuana-related emergency and urgent care visits at a Colorado children's hospital nearly tripled from 2009 to 2015, with most visits involving psychiatric diagnoses.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Marijuana-related visits increased from 1.8 per 1,000 visits in 2009 to 4.9 per 1,000 in 2015 (p<.0001). Behavioral health evaluation was obtained for 67% of visits, and 71% of those received a psychiatric diagnosis. Ethanol was the most common co-ingestant (12%).
Key Numbers
4,202 marijuana-related visits from 2005-2015. Rate increased from 1.8 to 4.9 per 1,000 visits (2009-2015). 67% received behavioral health evaluation. 71% of those had a psychiatric diagnosis. 12% involved ethanol co-ingestion.
How They Did This
Retrospective review of marijuana-related visits to a Colorado children's hospital from 2005-2015, identified by ICD codes and urine drug screens, for patients aged 13-20.
Why This Research Matters
While national survey data suggested no increase in adolescent marijuana use after legalization, this hospital data reveals a different picture: more teens are presenting to emergency departments with marijuana-related problems, many with psychiatric issues.
The Bigger Picture
Survey data and hospital data may be capturing different aspects of legalization's impact. While overall use rates may be stable, the potency, form, and context of use may be changing in ways that lead to more emergency presentations.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Single hospital system. ICD coding may not capture all marijuana-related visits. Cannot determine causation with legalization. Increased diagnosis could reflect increased screening rather than true increase. Does not distinguish medical from recreational context.
Questions This Raises
- ?Is the increase due to higher-potency products, edibles, or other post-legalization changes?
- ?Does increased screening account for some of the rise?
- ?Are psychiatric presentations reflecting new use or more acute intoxication from potent products?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Marijuana-related adolescent ER visits increased from 1.8 to 4.9 per 1,000 visits (2009-2015) in Colorado, a 172% increase.
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate - objective hospital data over 10 years, but single institution with potential for diagnostic and coding changes over time.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2018. Data through 2015 captures early legalization effects.
- Original Title:
- Impact of Marijuana Legalization in Colorado on Adolescent Emergency and Urgent Care Visits.
- Published In:
- The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 63(2), 239-241 (2018)
- Authors:
- Wang, George Sam(15), Davies, Sara Deakyne, Halmo, Laurie Seidel(2), Sass, Amy, Mistry, Rakesh D
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01870
Evidence Hierarchy
Looks back at existing records to find patterns.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Did teen marijuana ER visits increase after legalization in Colorado?
Yes. This study found marijuana-related emergency and urgent care visits by teens nearly tripled from 2009 to 2015 at a Colorado children's hospital, despite national surveys showing no overall increase in adolescent use.
What brings teens to the ER for marijuana?
Most marijuana-related teen ER visits (71% of those evaluated) involved psychiatric diagnoses. Alcohol was the most common substance used alongside marijuana (12% of visits).
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01870APA
Wang, George Sam; Davies, Sara Deakyne; Halmo, Laurie Seidel; Sass, Amy; Mistry, Rakesh D. (2018). Impact of Marijuana Legalization in Colorado on Adolescent Emergency and Urgent Care Visits.. The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 63(2), 239-241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.12.010
MLA
Wang, George Sam, et al. "Impact of Marijuana Legalization in Colorado on Adolescent Emergency and Urgent Care Visits.." The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.12.010
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Impact of Marijuana Legalization in Colorado on Adolescent E..." RTHC-01870. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/wang-2018-impact-of-marijuana-legalization
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.