Underage Marijuana Use Common in States Where Drug is Legal

Law enforcement agencies in Colorado and Washington, where recreational marijuana is legal, report underage use of the drug is common, a new study finds. Marijuana-impaired driving is also common, HealthDay reports.

Researchers surveyed 50 local law enforcement agencies in the two states in 2016 and 2017 to find out if underage marijuana use and marijuana-impaired driving are problems in their cities. All of the agencies said underage use is somewhat or very common. Most said marijuana-impaired driving is somewhat or very common.

“In general, we found that enforcement is not a high priority for most places,” study co-author Darin Erickson of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health said in a news release. “That said, we know enforcement strategies work to curb illegal substance use. Enforcing alcohol laws reduces underage drinking and related problems—and it could be used to improve the situation with marijuana.”