Among parents of chronically ill teens, those in states with more permissive marijuana laws perceived less risk from their child using cannabis, and those in recreational-use states were more likely to report their child had tried marijuana.
Parents of chronically ill adolescents, pediatricians, and policy researchers.
89.9% said use was risky, but 27.9% would approve if prescribed
What the researchers found
While 89.9% said any marijuana use was risky for their child, 27.9% would approve if prescribed as medicine. Parents reporting decriminalization were more amenable to teen use, less concerned about impact on their child's condition, and more accepting of marijuana as medicine. Parents in legal medical or recreational states were more likely to report their child had tried or regularly used marijuana. Parents in recreational states were paradoxically less likely to agree marijuana has medical benefits for their child.
Why it matters
Parents of medically vulnerable children face unique decisions about cannabis. Understanding how legal environment shapes their risk perception can inform clinical guidance.
The numbers in context
595 parents surveyed. 89.9% said use was risky. 27.9% would approve if prescribed. 11.1% reported decriminalization. 35.6% reported legal medical use. 5.7% reported legal recreational use.
How the study worked
Nationally administered web-based survey of 595 parents of adolescents (ages 13-18) with type 1 diabetes, rheumatic disease, or ADHD. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression modeled effects of perceived state cannabis laws on parental views.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional web survey. Parents self-reported their state's legal status (which may not be accurate). Selection bias from web-based recruitment. Three specific conditions may not represent all chronically ill teens.
How to read the evidence
National survey with multivariate analysis, but cross-sectional design and self-reported legal status.
When this study was published
2019 study.
The bigger picture
The finding that legal environment changes parental risk perception suggests that legalization has downstream effects on how parents manage their chronically ill children's exposure to cannabis.
Questions still open
- Do changes in parental attitudes translate to actual changes in teen cannabis use? Should clinicians in legal states proactively discuss cannabis with parents of chronically ill teens?
Common questions
Do parents of sick kids support medical marijuana?
Does legalization affect teen marijuana use?
Read the original research
Parental views on state cannabis laws and marijuana use for their medically vulnerable children.
Drug and alcohol dependence, 199, 59-67
Citation
Wisk, Lauren E; Levy, Sharon; Weitzman, Elissa R. (2019). Parental views on state cannabis laws and marijuana use for their medically vulnerable children.. Drug and alcohol dependence, 199, 59-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.12.027