Support for marijuana legalization in the US state of Washington has continued to increase through 2016

Abstract

Background Support for the legalization of recreational marijuana continues to increase across the United States and globally. In 2016, recreational marijuana was legalized in the most populous US state of California, as well as three other states. The primary aim of this study was to examine trends in support for recreational marijuana legalization in Washington, a state which has had legal recreational marijuana for almost four years, using data collected over the four years post-legalization. A secondary aim was to examine trends in support for the cultivation of marijuana for personal use. Methods Data come from geographically representative general population samples of adult (aged 18 and over) Washington residents collected over five timepoints (every six months) between January 2014 and April 2016 (N = 4,101). Random Digit Dial was used for recruitment. Statistical analyses involved bivariate comparisons of proportions across timepoints and subgroups (defined by age, gender, and marijuana user status), and multivariable logistic regression controlling for timepoint (time) to formally test for trend while controlling for demographic and substance use covariates. All analyses adjusted for probability of selection. Results Support for legalization in Washington has significantly increased: support was 64.0% (95% CI: 61.2%–67.8%) at timepoint 1 and 77.9% (95% CI: 73.2%–81.9%) at timepoint 5. With each six months’ passing, support increased 19% on average. We found no statistically significant change in support for home-growing. Conclusions Support for marijuana legalization has continued to significantly increase in a state that has experienced the policy change for almost four years.

Trends and correlates of driving under the influence of alcohol among different types of adult substance users in the United States: a national survey study

“…In recent years, there has been a significant change in laws surrounding prescription opioids and marijuana, such as prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) and marijuana legalization [46, 47]. Thus, it is necessary to further assess the impacts of such laws on DUIA.…”

Changes in Marijuana Use Across the 2012 Washington State Recreational Legalization: Is Retrospective Assessment of Use Before Legalization More Accurate?

“…This is consistent with the current study's fi ndings that marijuana use did not rise steeply following legalization, a key concern of voters. Analyses of support for legalization using surveys from 2014 through 2016 have found continued increases from 64% in 2014 to 78% in 2016 (Subbaraman & Kerr, 2017). This increase in support contrasts with fi ndings of reduced support for Initiative 1183 that privatized sales of distilled spirits in Washington State in 2012 (Subbaraman & Kerr, 2016b).…”

Tales of the Frenchfry: on Cannabis and uphill battles

“…At the end of the day, it is important to teach people, in the paraphrased words of Gerald Massey, to take truth as their authority rather than authority as their truth. And, in these personal conversations, I try to be receptive to concerns while simultaneously clearly communicating the benefits of legalising and regulating cannabis and other illegal substances (Subbaraman and Kerr, 2017). This leads me to discuss how those in the medical cannabis community determine how to treat the myriad disorders treatable with cannabis given the variability in literature regarding effective dosing/active ingredient ratios.…”