Impact of marijuana legalization on cannabis-related visits to the emergency department.
Nicole V TolanTolumofe TereboPeter Ray ChaiTimothy B EricksonBryan D HayesSacha N UljonAthena K PetridesChristiana A DemetriouStacy E F MelansonPublished in: Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.) (2021)
Legalization of marijuana in MA has led to an increase in cannabis use as indicated by both increasing rates of positive THC IA results, in older adults, as well as increasing cannabis-related ICD-10 codes. Data suggest a steady increase in THC use associated with legalization that was not associated with an increase in opiate, fentanyl, or cocaine use. We recommend using ED THC IA positivity, an objective laboratory measure, to monitor THC use and the impact of state-specific progression in cannabis legalization.