Effect of Cannabis Legalization on US Autism Incidence and Medium Term Projections

Abstract

Objective: In that cannabis use has been linked with the development of autism spectrum disorder like conditions in gestationally exposed children, we set out to explore the extent to which rising cannabis use might contribute to the rising autism epidemic.

Epidemiological Associations of Various Substances and Multiple Cannabinoids with Autism in USA

“…That cannabis use is rising in nearly all states aligns closely with rising autism rates in nearly states. A detailed consideration of the interaction between the legal status of cannabis and the rate of autism was recently published which found an increased rate of ASD associated with more liberal paradigms of cannabis use including medical cannabis and frank cannabis legalization [23]. Thus whilst this study is not experimental per se, its quasi-experimental nature is consistent with a cannabinoid-autism link.…”

“…It is important to note that cannabinoids have been shown previously to be involved in numerous pathways impacting brain development so that many molecular, cellular and neurodevelopmental links between cannabinoid exposure and brain pathology have been described. Potential mechanisms by which cannabinoids could impact brain development and function relevant to ASD expression are manyfold and have been reviewed elsewhere [8,[19][20][21][22][23] and this is briefly summarized here. Cannabinoids negatively affect neurogenesis a process critically important in the developing brain for the long distance migration of human neocortical neurons and the formation of the large and exuberant human cortex [24,25].…”

Cannabis use is associated with potentially heritable widespread changes in autism candidate gene DLGAP2 DNA methylation in sperm

“…They determined there was a strikingly significant positive association between cannabis legalization and increased ASD incidence. Further, the study authors predicted that there will be a 60% increase in excess ASD cases in states with legal cannabis by 2030, and deemed ASD the most common form of cannabisassociated clinical teratology [40].…”

Broad Spectrum Epidemiological Contribution of Cannabis, Tobacco and Alcohol to the Teratological Profile of Northern New South Wales: Geospatial and Causal Inference Analysis

“…When one also considers the known epigenetic actions of cannabis [2,12,[30][31][32][33] and its associations with developmental neurological dysfunction and autism [34][35][36][37][38] concerns relating to the intergenerational actions of cannabis are heightened. Moreover since the debate relating to cannabis is typically highly individualistic it seems prudent that medical professional organizations should partner with public health agencies and community groups to enlarge the focus of popular debate from the simply self-referential to a broader multigenerational perspective.…”

“…The present work has not considered neurological sequalae in the newborn and childhood as has previously been reported to overlap the autistic spectrum disorder and ADHD and thereby potentially play a major role in the modern widespread epidemic of these disorders [34][35][36]39]. When such data is factored into consideration the imperatives for reconsideration and re-evaluation of cannabis legalization overall are largely increased.…”