Colorado's Marijuana Policy Experiment: Perspectives from Adolescents and Parents

Colorado is one of two states that has legalized recreational marijuana use and one of eighteen states that has passed legislation allowing the use of medical marijuana in the United States.  Although adolescent marijuana use remains illegal under existing legislation, significant concern exists that marijuana policy change will result in increased marijuana use among young people. The state of Colorado ranked in the top five among all 50 states for individuals 12 or older in first time marijuana use, marijuana use in the past month and marijuana use in the past year in 2011 (SAMHSA, 2012). At the same time that marijuana use is high in Colorado, local policy through Colorado’s Amendment 64 will allow "personal use and regulation of marijuana" for adults 21 and over starting in January 2014. As Colorado prepares for legalization of recreational marijuana, the Governor’s office, other state agencies and non-profit organizations are planning to roll out a range of prevention strategies to counter the anticipated impact of Amendment 64 on adolescents in Colorado.

This paper presents findings from qualitative research that explored youth and parent perceptions of the legal and health impacts of marijuana use on youth, perspectives on impending marijuana legalization in Colorado, and reflections on the role of parents and adults in adolescent use. Focus group participants also provided feedback on marijuana prevention messaging to inform a campaign that will be launched in Colorado in 2014.  A total of eight focus groups were conducted in four distinct Colorado counties.  Four focus groups were conducted with adolescents between the age of 15-18 and four focus groups were conducted with parents of adolescents. 

Findings from the focus groups revealed that both adolescents and parents struggle to make sense of conflicting messages and beliefs about the impact of marijuana use on adolescents, suggesting the need for increased awareness of fundamental facts about how marijuana affects adolescents.  Participants also shared their beliefs about how harmful marijuana is compared to alcohol and other drugs, and raised questions about the possibility of marijuana addiction. In addition, due to the municipal differences in marijuana policy, focus group participants were confused about how to navigate local, state and federal marijuana regulations.   

The results from this study have important implications for developing fact-based prevention messaging targeting adolescents in a state where new legislation has allowed for the recreational use of marijuana by adults. The results also provide insight into the complexities regarding marijuana legalization, and the challenges associated with adolescent prevention efforts following changes to adult substance use policy.