Macha, Vandana and Abouk, Rahi and Drake, Coleman (2022) Association of recreational cannabis legalization with alcohol use among adults in the US, 2010 to 2019. JAMA Health Forum, 3, (11), e224069. doi: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2022.4069.
External website: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum...
Importance: In the US, cannabis use has nearly doubled during the past decade, in part because states have implemented recreational cannabis laws (RCLs). However, it is unclear how legalization of adult-use cannabis may affect alcohol consumption.
Question: How do recreational cannabis laws affect alcohol use among adults in the US?
Findings: In this cross-sectional study with a difference-in-differences analysis of 4.2 million adults in all 50 states from 2010 to 2019, recreational cannabis laws were associated with a 0.9 percentage point increase in any alcohol use among the population overall but not in binge or heavy drinking. Results were primarily determined by younger adults (18-24 years) and men.
Meaning: These findings suggest that increased alcohol use may be an unintended consequence of recreational cannabis laws.
B Substances > Cannabis / Marijuana
B Substances > Alcohol
MM-MO Crime and law > Substance use laws > Drug laws
MP-MR Policy, planning, economics, work and social services > Policy > Policy on substance use > Drug decriminalisation or legalisation policy
T Demographic characteristics > Adult
T Demographic characteristics > Young adult
VA Geographic area > United States
Repository Staff Only: item control page