# Legalizing Medical and Recreational Cannabis May Decrease Adolescent Use > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/association-cannabis-use-other-substances-lifestyle-impact/ > **Published:** 2020-07-21T13:56:00-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T11:17:28-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore the association cannabis use other substances lifestyle and its impact on adolescent cannabis use trends and behaviors post-legalization. --- **Association of marijuana laws with teen marijuana use- new estimates from the youth risk behavior surveys** In Summary Earlier this July a letter was published providing evidence that [adolescent cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-use-and-anxiety-research/) may actually decrease post-legalization of medical and recreational cannabis. An analysis of Youth Risk Behavioral Surveys from the past two decades revealed that legalizing [medical cannabis](https://cedclinic.com/therapeutic-benefits-of-thc/) had little to no effect on [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) among adolescents in 8th and 10th grade but that legalization of recreational cannabis actually led to an overall decrease of [adolescent cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-use-and-anxiety-research/) across the states. The authors hypothesize that the rate of adolescent use may decrease as illegal drug dealers are replaced by legal, regulated dispensaries. This evidence may prove compelling for the possible rescheduling of cannabis under the federal Controlled Substances Act. Adolescent substance use, like that of alcohol, has been found to be detrimental to brain development. There have been varying results regarding the effects of adolescent [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) on brain development yet some caretakers are given special permission to administer cannabis-based products to children experiencing rare forms of epilepsy or other seizure disorders. Cannabis-based medications may be a more ethical and far less dangerous substance to administer to children so that they aren’t set up for a substance use disorder at a young age. The research focussed on adolescent cannabis use needs to be conducted for better regulations and to better advise the parents and pediatricians of adolescents who have accidentally consumed cannabis or need a cannabis-based medical intervention. The study is available for review or download here: [DOWNLOAD & REVIEW HERE](https://www.cedfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Association-of-Marijuana-Laws-With-Teen-Marijuana-Use-New-Estimates-From-the-Youth-Risk-Behavior-Surveys.pdf) View more studies like this in the CED Foundation Archive: [http://bit.ly/drcaplan](http://bit.ly/drcaplan) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence [Teens Who Use Cannabis Face Higher Risk Of Mental Disorders, Study Finds – Forbes](https://cedclinic.com/teen-cannabis-use-mental-health-risks-study/) This article discusses the increased mental health risks faced by teens who use cannabis, highlighting important research findings. [Read More](https://cedclinic.com/teen-cannabis-use-mental-health-risks-study/) [Teen Cannabis Use May Double Your Risk of Psychosis and Bipolar](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-psychiatric-outcomes-2026-digest/) Explore the link between teen cannabis use and the increased risk of psychosis and bipolar disorder in this detailed study. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-psychiatric-outcomes-2026-digest/) [Cannabis Medicine in Pediatrics: Evidence-Based Care and Emerging Research](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoids-pediatric-safety-evidence-based-care/) An overview of evidence-based [cannabis medicine](https://cedclinic.com/essential-oils-industrial-hemp-antimicrobial-benefits/) use in pediatric care, focusing on emerging research and clinical applications. [Discover More](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoids-pediatric-safety-evidence-based-care/) Have thoughts on this? 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