Washington State Recreational Marijuana Legalization: Parent and Adolescent Perceptions, Knowledge, and Discussions in a Sample of Low-Income Families

Abstract

Background In November 20012, Washington State and Colorado became the first states in the United States to legalize recreational marijuana use for adults, and Uruguay became the first country to allow the cultivation, distribution, possession, and use of marijuana. One possible consequence of these changes is increased adolescent marijuana use. Parents may mitigate this adverse consequence; however, whether parents and adolescents have accurate knowledge about the laws and are discussing marijuana use in light of the law changes is unknown. Objective We examine perceptions, knowledge, and parent-child discussions about Washington State’s recreational marijuana law in a sample of low-income families. Methods Participants were a subset of families (n = 115) in an ongoing study that originally recruited parents and adolescents from middle schools in Tacoma, Washington. In summer 2013, when students were entering the 11th grade, students and their parents were asked questions about the recreational marijuana law. Results Participants perceived that their marijuana-related attitudes and behaviors changed little as a result of the law, and displayed uncertainty about what is legal and illegal. Most parents reported discussing the new law with their children but only occasionally, and conversations emphasized household rules, particularly among parent lifetime marijuana users compared to non-users. Conclusions/Importance Results suggest that there should be a public health campaign focused on families that provides clear information about the recreational marijuana laws.

The Impact of Marijuana Legalization on Adolescent Use, Consequences, and Perceived Risk

“…Lastly, a recent study conducted in Tacoma, Washington involved parents and adolescents following the legalization of recreational marijuana use. Results indicated that legalization resulted in little change in favorable marijuana use attitudes or intentions to use (Mason, Hanson, Fleming, Ringle, & Haggerty, 2015). Consistent with the studies on marijuana use, the impact of legalization on perceived risk has mixed findings.…”

“…Washington has a lengthy history of medical marijuana legalization, as well as its geographic location in the Pacific Northwest, where decriminalization of marijuana by police authorities predates recreational marijuana legalization (Aggarwal, Kyashna-Tocha, & Carter, 2007;Single, 1989). Adolescents in this state and region are therefore more likely to be exposed by relative permissive attitudes towards marijuana by adults in their social environment (Mason et al, 2015).…”

Prevalence of Marijuana Use Disorders in the United States Between 2001-2002 and 2012-2013

“…5,6 Given the robust connection between beliefs about riskiness and actual use, 55 changes in such beliefs may play an important role. Therefore, public education about the risks of marijuana use, presented in a reasonable, balanced manner, 56 appears increasingly important to counteract public beliefs that marijuana use is harmless.…”

Associations Between Parental and Grandparental Marijuana Use and Child Substance Use Norms in a Prospective, Three-Generation Study

“…In early data from Washington State, parents and youth report that marijuana legalization had little effect on their perceptions about the acceptability of adult and teen use or on their self-reported likelihood to use [36]. Data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health show statistically significant increases in marijuana use among adults in Washington and Colorado from 2011/2012 to 2012/2013 (from ∼12% to 14%-15% prevalence of past-month use) [37], as well as an increase in marijuana use among U.S. adults nationally in 2014 versus 2002-2013 [38]; any relationship to marijuana legalization has yet to be established.…”