NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — Rutgers University not too long ago carried out a examine on marijuana utilization to assist information state coverage.
CBS2’s Meg Baker has extra on what the affect of retail gross sales on kids could also be.
Utilization general in New Jersey is decrease than the nationwide common, however a scary statistic reveals youthful persons are utilizing extra now than ever.
“Marijuana use amongst these 12-17-year-olds is definitely going up, which actually … that resonates by way of we must be extra proactive. If the speed is already going up, what are we going to do now that leisure marijuana is legalized?” mentioned Charles Menifield, dean of the Faculty of Public Affairs at Rutgers-Newark.
READ MORE: New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission Releases First Set Of Rules For Legal Marijuana Sales
Menifield, the examine’s principal investigator, regarded on the affect of legalization and figuring out disparities amongst totally different communities.
“Each by way of public security, training, and well being, there’s no query primarily based on our discovering that African-Individuals could possibly be disproportionately impacted in a destructive method when hashish retail gross sales truly start.”
He mentioned the probability that shops shall be in communities of coloration is excessive. Knowledge signifies that racial variations at school self-discipline could possibly be linked to marijuana utilization.
“Black youngsters have been suspended at a charge that was greater than twice that of another group. Substance abuse was the third-highest motive for suspensions, proper behind bullying and intimidation,” Menifield mentioned.
The report is a baseline of the place the state is now, Menifield mentioned annual analysis is required to attach the dots between the place marijuana utilization is highest, and the way legalization and the potential for elevated utilization will have an effect on these communities, particularly teenagers.
“We’re No. 1 in commencement charges proper now, by way of having an excellent one. What we’re saying is it might have an effect on commencement charges as a result of youngsters are getting excessive as a substitute of finding out,” Menifield mentioned.
He mentioned loads of focus has been on the income the marijuana enterprise will make for the state. He suggests a proportion of these funds go into prevention training, and extra analysis like this.
The examine additionally checked out well being components of legalization, reminiscent of suicide charges, and he variety of folks getting into therapy services for marijuana dependancy.
CBS2’s Meg Baker contributed to this report.
