Usage of cannabis among adolescents is higher in countries that have liberalised drug laws, according to a study.
The research asserts to be the first of its type. It found the effect is strongest for those countries that have liberalised cannabis laws for more than five years.
The study has been criticised by decriminalisation campaigners, who said the results were “skewed” and said prohibition wasted “scarce resources arresting teenagers”.
The report used data from the ‘WHO Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children’ survey in 38 European and North American countries.
Drug Addiction.
“Our study showed the liberalisation policy in general was associated with higher levels of cannabis use, and depenalisation and partial prohibition policies were particularly correlated with regular use,” said the report.
The report said there had been “surprisingly limited” examination of the effects of liberalisation.
It said there were “considerable concerns” about increased usage being “induced” by greater access, favourable social norms and reduced penalties.
Source: Cormac O'Keeffe, Irish Examiner, 19/04/16
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