Table 2.
Studies examining recreational cannabis legalization and attitudes surrounding cannabis.
| Author | Year | Location | Date of legalization | Study design | Sample | Brief findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AminiLari et al | 2022 | Ontario | 2018 | Longitudinal | N = 254 | Pre-RCL 25% of adults reported having medical cannabis authorization. Post-RCL the biggest shift in motivations for use was from solely medical to medical and recreational reasons. About ¼ of medicinal only users shifted to both medicinal and recreational reasons for use, and ¼ of participants reporting both reasons shifted to exclusively recreational reasons for use. |
| Bailey et al | 2020 | Washington | 2012 | Longitudinal | N = 281 | RCL was not associated with perceived harm from cannabis use among youth. |
| Barker & Moreno | 2021 | Washington & Wisconsin | 2012 | Longitudinal cohort | N = 338 | Attitudes toward cannabis were similar across states over time. However, post RCL attitudes toward cannabis became more positive for both states. Intentions to use cannabis also increased post RCL for both states. |
| Estoup et al | 2016 | Washington | 2012 | Cohort | N = 262 | There was a significant indirect effect of RCL to cannabis-related consequences through lower perceived risk of use, but not frequency of use. |
| Gali et al | 2021 | California | 2016 | Longitudinal cohort | N = 429 | Exposure to others cannabis use did not change post-RCL. Mental health perceptions from cannabis increased from slightly harmful to slightly beneficial. Physical health perceptions decreased 1-month post-RCL but increased 6-months post-RCL. Well-being perceptions remained similar 1-month post-RCL and increased 6-moths post-RCL. |
| Hawke & Henderson | 2021 | Ontario | 2018 | Cohort | N = 269 | Reports of using cannabis alone, using with friends, and concealing cannabis use did not differ between the cohorts. Ease of cannabis access and reported safety of cannabis did not differ between cohorts. |
| Hawley et al | 2019 | British Columbia | 2018 | Repeated cross-sectional | N = 1673 | The percent of cancer patients reporting some recreational reasons for cannabis increased post-RCL. Percent of pure medicinal users did decrease, non-significantly, post-RCL. Post-RCL cannabis users reported more problems accessing cannabis, with greatest barriers being lack of dispensaries and preferred products. |
| Rosic et al | 2021 | Ontario | 2018 | Repeated cross-sectional | N = 1390 | The perceptions of how RCL would impact cannabis use did not change post- RCL. Most participants reported RCL would not/has no impact on use. |
| Rusby et al | 2018 | Oregon | 2015 | Cohort | N = 444 | RCL cohort was more likely to increase cannabis intentions overtime, while the pre-RCL cohort was less likely to increase willingness and intent to use. RCL was not associated with initiating cannabis use. |
Author, author of article; Year, publication year of article; Location, jurisdiction article data was collected in; Date of Legalization, year legalization was enacted in jurisdiction; Sample, total N of article sample; RCL, Recreational Cannabis Legalization.