Among 301 cannabis-using young adults in Los Angeles, those whose attitudes and behaviors were most impacted by legalization reported the greatest number of use days, hits per day, and problematic cannabis use scores.
Public health researchers, cannabis policy analysts, and substance use prevention specialists.
Young adults most impacted by legalization attitudes had the highest problematic use scores
What the researchers found
Three groups emerged: Impacted (n=113), Partially-Impacted (n=131), and Neutral (n=57). Impacted individuals reported the most recent days of use, highest number of hits per day, and highest problematic use scores. Medical cannabis patients were more likely to be Neutral, while recreational users were more likely to be Impacted.
Why it matters
This study shows that attitudes toward legalization were not just opinions but were associated with actual use patterns and problem severity, providing an early look at how policy changes shape behavior.
The numbers in context
Sample: 301 young adults. Three classes: Impacted (113), Partially-Impacted (131), Neutral (57). Impacted group had highest use days, hits/day, and problematic use scores.
How the study worked
Cross-sectional survey of 301 cannabis-using young adults in Los Angeles, interviewed 2017-2018 (after recreational legalization, through early retail sales). Used latent class analysis to identify groups based on attitudes about legalization impact, with cannabis practices and problematic use as distal outcomes.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional design cannot determine whether attitudes drove use or vice versa. LA-specific sample may not generalize. Self-reported measures. Early post-legalization period may not reflect longer-term patterns.
How to read the evidence
Innovative latent class analysis with a reasonable sample, but cross-sectional design limits causal conclusions.
When this study was published
Published in 2021 with data from 2017-2018.
The bigger picture
Understanding how different subgroups respond to legalization can help target harm reduction messaging to those whose use patterns are most influenced by policy changes.
Questions still open
- Do the attitudes of the "Impacted" group normalize over time as legalization matures? Would targeted messaging to this group reduce problematic use?
Common questions
Did cannabis legalization affect how much young adults used?
Were medical cannabis patients affected differently?
Read the original research
Attitudes and beliefs about recreational cannabis legalization among cannabis-using young adults in Los Angeles: Impact on concurrent cannabis practices and problematic cannabis use.
Drug and alcohol dependence, 228, 109053
Citation
Wong, Carolyn F; Mendez, Stephanie E A; Conn, Bridgid M; Iverson, Ellen; Lankenau, Stephen E. (2021). Attitudes and beliefs about recreational cannabis legalization among cannabis-using young adults in Los Angeles: Impact on concurrent cannabis practices and problematic cannabis use.. Drug and alcohol dependence, 228, 109053. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109053