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Mortality

Cannabis Legalization Linked to Increased Suicide Rates among Young People in the US

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers from Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center have investigated the association between state medical and recreational cannabis law (MCL and RCL) and changes in suicide mortality by race and ethnicity in US youth. The study found that cannabis legalization is linked to increased suicide rates among young people, particularly among Asian/Pacific Islander and Hispanic youth. The researchers examined data from the 2000-2019 National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) death files for 12-25 year-olds and found significant associations between cannabis law status and suicide mortality in these age groups.

Key Takeaways:

  • Cannabis legalization has been associated with increased suicide rates among US youth, particularly among Asian/Pacific Islander and Hispanic youth.
  • Unadjusted annual suicide rates were 9.7, 12.8, and 16.7 per 100,000 youth for no-CL, MCL, and RCL states, respectively.
  • Asian/Pacific Islander youth living in MCL and RCL states had increased incident rate ratios (IRR) for suicide deaths compared to Asian/Pacific Islander youth living in No-CL states (MCL: IRR=1.30; 95% CI,1.13-1.50; RCL: IRR=1.42; 95%CI,1.20-1.67).
  • Hispanic youth living in RCL states had increased suicide deaths when compared to Hispanic youth living in MCL states (IRR=1.15; 95%CI,1.04-1.27) and No-CL states (IRR=1.32; 95%CI,1.03-1.71).
  • The study's findings were consistent across sensitivity analyses, indicating that the associations between cannabis law status and suicide mortality were robust.
  • The research highlights the need for further studies to investigate the mechanisms through which cannabis laws differentially impact suicide mortality among youth of different racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Statistics:

  • Unadjusted annual suicide rates for US youth: 9.7, 12.8, and 16.7 per 100,000 youth for no-CL, MCL, and RCL states, respectively.
  • Incident rate ratios (IRR) for Asian/Pacific Islander youth living in MCL and RCL states: 1.30 (95% CI, 1.13-1.50) and 1.42 (95% CI, 1.20-1.67), respectively.
  • IRR for Hispanic youth living in RCL states compared to MCL states: 1.15 (95% CI, 1.04-1.27).
  • IRR for Hispanic youth living in RCL states compared to No-CL states: 1.32 (95% CI, 1.03-1.71).

Sources:

  • YRacial and Ethnic Differences in Suicide Mortality among 12-25 Year Olds Following Medical and Recreational Cannabis Legalization in the United States. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2025:108141.
  • American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Elsevier Science Inc, Ste 800, 230 Park Ave, New York, NY 10169, USA.
  • Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Dept. of Biomedical Informatics, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH.

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