Teen Marijuana Use in Colorado Still Has Not Increased Since Legalization: Report
DENVER A new federal report shows rates of teen marijuana use in Colorado have still not increased since voters decided to end marijuana prohibition in 2012 and start regulating it similarly to alcohol for adult use.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) found 19.6 percent of Colorado students are currently using marijuana (compared to 19.8 percent nationwide), down from 21.2 percent in 2015 and 22 percent in 2011, the year before voters approved Amendment 64.
The rate of lifetime use dropped to 35.5 percent in 2017 (compared to 35.6 percent nationwide), down from 38 percent in 2015 and 39.5 percent in 2011.
After five years of marijuana being legal for adults in Colorado, government surveys continue to find no increase in usage rates among high school students, saidMarijuana Policy Project spokesperson Mason Tvert, who co-directed the campaign in support of Amendment 64.This is very welcome news for Colorado, and it should be particularly welcome news for those who opposed the states legalization for fear it would lead to an explosion in teen use. Hopefully it will allay opponents concerns in other states where ...
