Study Finds Increased Cannabis Use among Certain US States
Over the last few decades, the United States has entered a new phase in its cannabis control policies.
As of November 2016, 28 US states and Washington, D.C. had legalised cannabis use for medicinal purposes.
Eight of these and Washington, D.C. also now legally allow for the recreational use of the drug for those 21 and over.
A new study recently published in the academic journal Addiction suggests that cannabis use among those over the age of 26, especially heavy users, has risen significantly in US states that passed loosely regulated medicinal cannabis laws. However, increase rates vary from state to state.
There are concerns that such an increase in prevalence will produce a proportionate rise in the percentage of the population meeting the diagnostic criteria for cannabis use disorder.