Citation

Jones J, Jones KN. Subst. Abuse Res. Treat. 2019; 13: e1178221819827603.

Affiliation

Social and Behavioral Sciences, Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction, CO, USA.

Comment On:

Addict Behav 2018;77:255-259.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Libertas Academica)

DOI

10.1177/1178221819827603

PMID

30799928

PMCID

PMC6378431

Abstract

With the broadening legislative changes surrounding legalized recreational marijuana in the United States, tracking the impact of such changes is imperative. As such, in a recent article published in Addictive Behaviors, we identified several emerging trends in the first state to legalize recreational marijuana, Colorado. Since our publication, similar research from other states that have legalized recreational marijuana (Oregon and Washington) has emerged. Here, we attempt to expand on our findings and identify patterns across the research, by comparing and contrasting our results to research in other states with legalized recreational marijuana. We identified several trends including, but not limited to, the rates of marijuana use rising after decriminalization, but not the retail sale of recreational marijuana; recreational marijuana legalization leading to a decrease in the relationship between marijuana and alcohol use; and the identification of binge drinkers as a high-risk population for marijuana use after recreational legalization. We also explore the complicated relationship between marijuana use and academic performance, and point out areas where future research is needed.

Language: en

Keywords

alcohol; binge drinking; legalized; marijuana; recreational