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Cassidy was right

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Illinois

* AP…

New research suggests legalizing recreational marijuana for U.S. adults in some states may have slightly reduced teens’ odds of using pot.

One reason may be that it’s harder and costlier for teens to buy marijuana from licensed dispensaries than from dealers, said lead author Mark Anderson, a health economist at Montana State University.

The researchers analyzed national youth health and behavior surveys from 1993 through 2017 that included questions about marijuana use. Responses from 1.4 million high school students were included.

Thirty-three states have passed medical marijuana laws and 11 have legalized recreational use — generally for ages 21 and up, many during the study years. The researchers looked at overall changes nationwide, but not at individual states.

There was no change linked with medical marijuana legislation but odds of teen use declined almost 10% after recreational marijuana laws were enacted.

The research article is here.

* So, Politifact may want to revisit this rating from May…

[Rep. Kelly Cassidy] said, “In states that have legalized, you see steady decreases in youth use if you do it right.”

She did not provide any proof to back up her statement.

Of the 10 states that allow adults to use cannabis recreationally, only four have permitted retail sales long enough to provide enough data points for a preliminary comparison. While state survey data show no spike in current marijuana use among teens, they also fall short of suggesting the downward trajectory Cassidy described.

We rate her claim Mostly False.

* In other developments…

Illinois is just months away from legalizing recreational marijuana.

Now the Adams County Board must decide if the county should allow dispensaries in the county.

Even though using recreational marijuana will soon become legal anywhere in the state, Illinois counties have the option of whether to allow dispensaries in to provide the drug.

“Let’s be honest about what we have in front of us, it is legal in Illinois,” Board Finance Chair Bret Austin said. “Let’s decide if it’s something we want in our county.”

It’s already in your county, commissioner. And criminals run the business. You can either try to put those criminals out of business with competition, or just continue along your current path.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 10, 19 @ 11:11 am

Comments

More debunking of Reefer Madness, a great thing. Kids have been going to illegal dealers for decades, and nobody could stop it. Now we can focus better on reducing teen marijuana use through age restriction and education programs that we can fund.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Jul 10, 19 @ 11:17 am
No shocker here. If I wanted pot in high school I’d have it by lunch period. If I wanted alcohol I had to plan a week ahead and arrange plans with a friend’s sleazy uncle… who also sold pot. Drug dealers don’t card. Merchants do.

Comment by Robert the 1st Wednesday, Jul 10, 19 @ 11:19 am
The business of America is business…how many local officials will deny victims of the War on Cannabis equal access…I wonder?

I also wonder what Governor Pritzker thinks about the preemption of his signature legislation?

Comment by Dotnonymous Wednesday, Jul 10, 19 @ 11:22 am
The kids are all right. The movies seem to be about our lives ibn The eighties.

Comment by Not a Billionaire Wednesday, Jul 10, 19 @ 11:30 am
Politifact/BGA needs to hire some reporters or at least some folks who can get on Google, or Bing if that’s their preference.

Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Jul 10, 19 @ 11:32 am
=It’s already in your county, commissioner. And criminals run the business. =

Yep.

On top of that these are the same guys that always talk about growing jobs and yet want to deny a legal and lucrative business from their county.

Genius.

I am sure that they are also trying to stop county businesses from selling booze and cigarettes. that will stop everyone from smoking and drinking.

You know, to be consistent.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Jul 10, 19 @ 11:43 am
“On top of that these are the same guys that always talk about growing jobs” And they talk about growing jobs by removing government regulations.

Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Jul 10, 19 @ 11:47 am
Hilarious. Commissioner Austin is probably at the front of the pack howling about rising cigarette taxes driving local dollars to Missouri. Now he has a chance to bring those dollars back and he’s chicken little.

Maybe finance chair isn’t the greatest role for Bret.

Comment by Excitable Boy Wednesday, Jul 10, 19 @ 11:49 am
I always assume an argument in bad faith or straw man when the sentence opens with “Let’s be honest”.

Comment by The Doc Wednesday, Jul 10, 19 @ 12:20 pm
It is high time they took the legalization action. There was a lot of give and toke on both sides of the issue. Now it should be a joint effort by all counties to help this budding industry grow in our state. And to be blunt, this could be a jack pot for the state coffers.

Comment by allknowingmasterofraccoodom Wednesday, Jul 10, 19 @ 1:14 pm
I think it has to do more so with the way society treats it. Look at binge drinking here vs. in Europe where it’s normal to have a glass of wine with your family at dinner as a teen.

There are so many examples of prohibition, etc. creating way more societal problems and abuses.

Comment by Boone's is Back Wednesday, Jul 10, 19 @ 1:28 pm
I assumed they stop when they find out their parents think it’s cool.

Comment by Harvest76 Wednesday, Jul 10, 19 @ 1:31 pm
Bonus QOTD: How old were you when you first used marijuana?

Allknowing…Cute.

Comment by Enemy of the State Wednesday, Jul 10, 19 @ 2:09 pm
“How old were you when you first used marijuana?”

Objection — presumes facts not in evidence.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Jul 10, 19 @ 2:19 pm
=“On top of that these are the same guys that always talk about growing jobs” And they talk about growing jobs by removing government regulations.=

Yeah, they are real free marketers.

Same guys that want laws and regulation when they don’t like something (like equality) or want to curb free speech. And they love them some gub’ment handouts but don’t want to pay the tab.

Bastions of truth and consistency these heroes of yours.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Jul 10, 19 @ 2:46 pm