Evaluation of State Cannabis Laws and Rates of Self-harm and Assault

Source:

Matthay EC, Kiang MV, Elser H, Schmidt L, Humphreys K. Evaluation of State Cannabis Laws and Rates of Self-harm and Assault. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(3):e211955. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.1955

Key Points

Question  Are state cannabis legalization laws with varying degrees of commercialization associated with rates of self-harm or assault injuries?

Findings  In this cohort study based on health insurance claims data from 75 395 344 beneficiaries between 2003 and 2017, rates of self-harm injuries among males younger than 40 years increased more in states legalizing recreational cannabis dispensaries compared with states without cannabis legalization laws. For other age and sex groups and for more restrictive legalization approaches, no association with self-harm and assault was found.

Meaning  States with recreational cannabis may benefit from monitoring levels of self-harm as a potential consequence of legalization.