Since 2014 in the United States, marijuana has been legalized in many states, unfortunately without much research on the effects of recreational use in regards to health risks in certain populations. A current study highlights the effects that marijuana use has on these populations and other reasons for public health concern.
Undergraduate students at a Colorado university completed a survey assessing their marijuana use, sexual orientation, and sensation seeking traits. The results indicated that individuals who were under 21 and were high in risk seeking as well as individuals identifying with a mixed sexual orientation were at the greatest risk for increased marijuana use frequency. Legalization of marijuana did not have an effect on these results. Also, experience seeking, or wanting to try new things, was not a predictor in marijuana use, while risk seeking was only a predictor in the underage population. This suggests that underage adults who are risk seekers are more likely to use marijuana, possibly because it is still illegal for them to do so.
Overall, these findings suggest that although legalization of marijuana itself may lead to increased use, there are certain populations who are at risk for increased marijuana use, particularly in states where recreational use is legal.
Take Away: Being underage and possessing sensation seeking personality traits, as well as identifying as mixed sexual orientation lead to increased frequency of marijuana use in a U.S. state where recreational use is legal.