New Cannabis Study Shows No Significant Change In Rates Of Use-Disorder Post-Legalization

A new study has found that legalizing cannabis does not significantly increase the rates of problematic use. While there were concerns that recreational legalization could lead to widespread use disorder, the data collected by researchers at universities of Waterloo and Toronto shows that there was little to no increase in problematic use, even in the initial period following legalization in Canada. The study evaluated different groups of people across varying ages and concluded that levels of problematic use did not change drastically after legalization. Although the numbers of people using cannabis increased, the study did not find this to be indicative of an increase in problematic use. Other studies have also suggested that legalization is associated with greater access to cannabis, but not larger rates of use. Harm reduction messaging has also played a role in ensuring that those who do consume cannabis are not putting themselves at excessive risk. The data collected gives assurance that concerns about widespread reefer madness are baseless.