Marijuana, Public Health, and Safety

As more states pass laws legalizing the medical and/or adult use of marijuana, many members of the public, including media, parents, community members, and policy makers may have questions about how these policies impact public health and safety.

Although this is a growing field of research, and there is still much to learn as we track the impacts of legalization over time, preliminary data suggest that, in general, states are balancing public health and safety demands while responsibly regulating their marijuana markets.

Get the facts on youth marijuana use, marijuana potency, impaired driving, emergency room visits, and more.

View the factsheet (PDF).