Local Cannabis Policy and Cannabis Use by California High School Students

Strategic Insights -

A new study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health investigated the impact of local cannabis policies on cannabis use among California 11th graders. The research analyzed cross-sectional data from the 2015/2016 to 2019/2020 California Healthy Kids Surveys, which included over 377,000 students. The study found that changes in self-reported cannabis use among California 11th graders pre- and post-retail cannabis legalization in January 2018 varied significantly depending on local policy. Specifically, jurisdictions that banned retail cannabis sales experienced a decline in cannabis use, while those that allowed storefront and delivery retail sales saw an increase in use.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed data from over 377,205 California 11th graders from the 2015/2016 to 2019/2020 California Healthy Kids Surveys.
  • Local policy on cannabis use had a significant impact on cannabis use among California 11th graders, with different results depending on the specific policy.
  • Jurisdictions that banned retail cannabis sales experienced a decline in cannabis use, while those that allowed storefront and delivery retail sales saw an increase in use.
  • The odds of any past 30-day cannabis use increased after legalization in all jurisdictions except for those allowing medical delivery only, which decreased.
  • Pre-RCR legalization odds of frequent use decreased, whereas post-RCR, they increased through spring 2020.
  • Lower cannabis use in retail-banning jurisdictions pre-RCR suggests pre-existing norms potentially spurred local policies.
  • The study is a peer-reviewed research published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Statistics:

  • Over 377,000 California 11th graders were included in the study.
  • The odds ratio (OR) for any past 30-day cannabis use increased after legalization (OR [D level]: 1.06, p = .013) among all jurisdictions.
  • The odds of frequent use decreased pre-RCR legalization, but increased post-RCR (OR [D level]: 1.30, p
  • The study analyzed data from the 2015/2016 to 2019/2020 California Healthy Kids Surveys.

Sources:

  • Journal of Adolescent Health, "Local Cannabis Policy and Cannabis Use by California High School Students Before and After Statewide Retail Legalization," 2025
  • Public Health Institute, Prevention Policy Group
  • Elsevier Science Inc, Ste 800, 230 Park Ave, New York, NY 10169, USA
  • Bethany J. Simard, Public Health Institute
  • Alisa A. Padon, Lynn D. Silver, David S. Timberlake, and Kelly C. Young-Wolff, authors of the study