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Marijuana misuse and abuse prevention

Addressing marijuana misuse and abuse is a state priority.

  • Accessibility is high. There are 483 locations in Washington to obtain retail and/or medical marijuana (Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board, July 2019).
  • About 1 in 10 marijuana users will become addicted. For people who begin using before the age of 18, that number rises to 1 in 6. When youth use marijuana they can experience a reduction in their ability to concentrate, difficulty with memory, trouble learning and reduce significant brain connections (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

 

Marijuana use by youth in Washington State:

  • Almost 18 percent of 10th grade students report using marijuana in the past 30 days (Healthy Youth Survey, 2018).
  • One in three 10th grade students thought there was a slight risk or no risk of using marijuana regularly (Healthy Youth Survey, 2018).

 

Prevention strategies are being implemented throughout the state at local, county, and state levels, across the Continuum of Care that influence multiple domains and risk and protective factors. Here is a list of some state-wide initiatives focused specifically on marijuana:

Community library - Marijuana

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Christine Steele
Prevention Project and Policy Manager
christine.steele@hca.wa.gov