Relationship between an adult-use Cannabis law and Cannabis use by type in a cohort of New Jersey young adults.

Abstract

Limited research has evaluated the impact of cannabis policies on young adult cannabis use, after full implementation (retail outlets opened), nor on cannabis product type. This study examined the relationship between adult-use cannabis retail sales in New Jersey (United States) and young adult cannabis use by type. Data on New Jersey young adults (18-23 years) were from the Policy Communication and Evaluation (PACE) New Jersey Study. Generalized estimating equations models estimated differences in prevalence of ever and past 30-day use of cannabis and sub-types before (Waves 1-3 [March-November 2021], n = 1439) and after (Wave 4 [June-July 2022], n = 1127) adult-use retail sales began. Ever cannabis use among New Jersey young adults was higher in the post-retail sales period than pre-sales (58.1 % vs. 48.9 %, p < 0.01). The odds of ever cannabis use were 42 % higher (95 % CI = 32 %-54 %) in the post-retail period. Ever use of dried herb (post vs. pre: 44.4 % vs. 38.5 %, p < 0.01), drinks (7.0 % vs. 4.8 %, p < 0.01), edibles (45.9 % vs. 35.6 %, p < 0.01), and topicals (6.4 % vs. 4.6 %, p < 0.05), and past 30-day edible use (11.8 % vs. 9.0 %, p = 0.01) were higher post-retail; use of other product types did not differ. Cannabis use overall and among certain subtypes (e.g., edibles) increased among New Jersey young adults in the three months after adult-use cannabis retail sales began, demonstrating that increased access to legal cannabis for sale may encourage use. Continued monitoring is needed over longer follow-up periods in New Jersey and other states legalizing cannabis.