What Cannabis Legalization May Mean for Young Teens’ Views About Cannabis

As cannabis laws continue to change across the United States, researchers are working to understand how these changes may shape young people’s beliefs about cannabis. This study, published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, looked at whether early adolescents—about 12 years old on average—had different expectations about cannabis depending on whether they lived in a state with no cannabis legalization, medical cannabis legalization, or recreational cannabis legalization.

The researchers analyzed data from more than 8,000 young people participating in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. Participants answered questions about what they thought cannabis might do—for example, whether it could help someone relax or whether it could cause problems with thinking and concentration.

The study found that young teens living in states with medical or recreational cannabis legalization were slightly more likely to report positive expectations about cannabis than those living in states without legalization. In other words, they were more likely to believe cannabis could have benefits, such as helping with relaxation. Young teens in states with medical cannabis legalization were also slightly less likely to report negative expectations, such as concerns about problems with memory or thinking.

These findings suggest the policy environment may influence how adolescents think about cannabis. The results highlight the importance of clear, age-appropriate education so young people can understand the potential versus perceived benefits of cannabis use during a critical period of brain development.

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The Article

Ricklefs, C., Santos, G. M., Brindis, C. D., Baker, F. C., & Nagata, J. M. (2026). Cannabis legalization and early adolescent expectancies: Findings from the adolescent brain cognitive development study. Drug and alcohol dependence, 283, 113138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2026.113138