The legalization of cannabis and the start of retail sales of the drug in the US are linked to both a rise in its recreational use and concurrent use of tobacco, as well as a fall in sole tobacco use, finds an analysis of health behavioral data, published online in the journal Tobacco Control.
These patterns were evident in higher risk groups, such as those with poor mental health, as well as those with historically lower levels of recreational cannabis use, such as older people and those with higher levels of education, the findings indicate.
Concurrent use of tobacco and cannabis is associated with an increased risk of developing dependence, and emerging evidence suggests that this combo has greater health consequences than use of either substance alone, point out the researchers.
US states have…