Project

SSDP-TIP – Cannabis Legalization: Youth Substance Use, Conduct Problems, and HIV Risk Behavior

Project Description

This study used the SSDP-TIP sample (see separate description) to examine links between the legalization of marijuana for adults age 21 or over in Washington State and patterns of marijuana use and related risk behaviors among youth. It also examined links between marijuana legalization for adults and changes in risk factors for youth marijuana use, including youth attitudes; parent marijuana and other drug use and attitudes; parenting practices; perceived peer, sibling, and romantic partner use and attitudes; and marijuana availability. The project is built on the Seattle Social Development Project – The Intergenerational Project (SSDP-TIP), a study that used an accelerated longitudinal design to understand the effects of parent substance use on child development. SSDP-TIP included parents drawn from a prior longitudinal panel study (SSDP), their oldest biological child, and a second caregiver when available. SSDP-TIP collected pre-legalization data (2002-2011), setting the stage for an evaluation of this important policy shift. Three additional, post-legalization annual data collections were completed in 2015, 2016, and 2017 with parents, youth, and second caregivers (n = 426 families). This study was one of the first to test links between marijuana legalization for adults and youth marijuana use and related risk behavior. The accelerated longitudinal design enabled the disentangling of development and history (policy change), and facilitated understanding about the intersection of marijuana legalization and development.