Millions more Americans using marijuana and nicotine vapes after legalization, study finds

A new study estimates that millions more Americans are using nicotine vapes and cannabis in states that have legalized recreational marijuana, worrying experts who warn that the drug is stronger and more dangerous than in the past. Here’s what you need to know about the marijuana legalization usage study:

The JAMA study findings

Research shows significant increases in substance use:

• Published Friday in JAMA Network Open
• Analysis of 55,406 adults from 2013 to 2022 panels
• Monthly marijuana use rose by 3.28% after legalization
• Tobacco e-cigarette use increased by 1.39% after legalization

The dispensary effect

Usage accelerated after retail operations opened:

• Both indicators increased faster after marijuana dispensaries opened
• Study found “no differential change” in conventional cigarette smoking
• Results show correlation between retail availability and usage rates
• Dispensary openings appear to drive additional consumption

The population impact

Harvard researcher calculates millions affected:

• Dr. Andrew Hyatt, Harvard Medical School instructor and lead author
• Works out to additional 7 million to 8 million people using cannabis
• Approximately 2 million additional people vaping nicotine
• Psychiatrist Hyatt warns about substance use and dependence potential

The health concerns

Expert cites marijuana potency and accessibility:

• “Rapidly rising potency of cannabis and its ease of use in vape form”
• Potential to “increase substance use and dependence” according to Hyatt
• “While many people can use these substances without harm”
• Need vigilance for “individuals predisposed to problematic substance use and mental illness”

The legalization stalemate

Policy momentum has slowed significantly:

• Marijuana legalization efforts have stalled under Trump administration
• States pondering lagging tax revenues and growing health concerns
• No states have legalized recreational marijuana since 2023
• President Trump proved unwilling to lift federal ban

The state revenue pressures

Officials raising taxes to address budget gaps:

• Ohio, Maryland and Michigan moved to raise dispensary taxes
• Tax increases designed to plug state budget gaps
• Montana Legislature passed bill in April limiting cannabis gummy content
• State blamed psychoactive gummies for poisoning dozens of underage children

The veteran health study

JAMA research links legalization to opioid problems:

• JAMA Health Forum study published in June
• Linked state marijuana laws to increased opioid addiction in VA patients
• Sharpest increases among middle-aged and older men in chronic pain
• Addiction increases occurred over time following legalization

The current legal landscape

Most Americans live in states with some form of legal marijuana:

• 39 states have legalized medical marijuana since 1996
• 24 states have allowed recreational cannabis since 2012
• Colorado and Washington became first recreational states in 2012
• Various forms of cannabis now available in majority of states

The potency warnings

Experts emphasize dramatically stronger marijuana:

• Keith Humphreys, Stanford University psychologist and addiction researcher
• “Today the drug is much stronger and almost half of users consume it every day”
• “We should be more worried about increases” according to Humphreys
• Average potency jumped from 1-3% THC in 1970s to 18-23% today

The addiction pathway concerns

Anti-marijuana advocate sees linked substance use:

• Kevin Sabet, founder of Smart Approaches to Marijuana
• Said marijuana and nicotine are “two inextricably linked addiction pathways”
• “Nicotine is itself a highly addictive chemical with well-documented harms”
• Any vaping rise “primes a new generation for broader substance use”

The advocate response

Marijuana supporter calls for education over panic:

• Jerry Joyner, Texas-based marijuana advocate and “Weed & Whiskey” podcast host
• “The smart move now is education, not panic”
• “Let’s focus on harm reduction and responsible use, not scare tactics”
• Calls study findings indication of “adjustment period rather than an epidemic”

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• Millions more using marijuana, nicotine vapes after legalization, study finds