Court-Mandated Cannabis Treatment Declines in States with Legalized Recreational Use, New Study Finds
Recent findings from the Journal of Addiction Medicine reveal that in states where recreational cannabis use is legal, court-ordered treatment for cannabis-related disorders has significantly decreased.
The study, led by researchers from Temple University, extracted data from the Treatment Episode Dataset—Admissions to track trends in criminal justice referrals for cannabis use disorder treatment among adolescents and young adults. The research focused on the years between 2008 and 2019, analyzing the impact of recreational cannabis legalization on such referrals.
The report showed a nationwide decrease in the number and percentage of young adults and adolescents being referred to cannabis use disorder treatment via the criminal justice system. The decline was notably steeper among young adults post-legalization, as evidenced by statistical indicators.
Quoting NORML’s summary of the study, the researchers underscored that fewer court-mandated treatments likely resulted from decreased cannabis-related arrests after legalization. They pointed out that this decline raises health concerns, suggesting that primary care could serve as an alternative referral source for cannabis use disorder treatment.
For legalization proponents, the study marks a positive step. Paul Armentano, Deputy Director of NORML, emphasized that cannabis legalization not only reduces low-level marijuana arrests but also frees up treatment centers for individuals genuinely requiring assistance.
Marijuana legalization in the U.S. remains a developing policy, and its social and political impacts continue to be studied. Earlier this year, a separate long-term study indicated that marijuana legalization does not increase substance abuse, although it does contribute to higher cannabis consumption rates.
Further evidence of the potential benefits of legalization came from another study last year, showing that cannabis legalization led to fewer prescription medications being filled through state Medicaid programs. Researcher Shayam Raman highlighted the study’s implications, pointing out potential cost savings for state Medicaid programs and an opportunity to minimize the risks associated with prescription drugs.
In sum, the latest research suggests that cannabis legalization may have multiple benefits, including reduced court-mandated treatment and potential healthcare savings, without increasing substance abuse.
