The Effect of The Legalization of Recreational Marijuana on Drug Use by Minors in California
Date of Award
Summer 2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA)
Committee Chair
Brian Colfer
Committee Member
Ronald Bucci
Committee Member
Jennifer Harris
Abstract
Access to recreational marijuana and other substances by minors under the age of 21 has become a growing public health concern in California due to its impact on adolescent health. This quantitative ex post facto study examined the effects of the legalization of recreational marijuana under Proposition 64 on drug use among minors in one California county. The dataset included 8,240 admissions and 5,178 unique cases collected between 2011 and 2021 from WFC Behavioral Wellness treatment centers. A bootstrapping nonparametric approach was used to analyze differences in primary, secondary, and combined frequency of substance use before and after legalization. Results indicated statistically significant differences following Proposition 64. Although outliers were identified, they did not significantly influence results. These findings suggest increased frequency of substance use may elevate health risks among minors.
Recommended Citation
Nepa, Bahati Sindano, "The Effect of The Legalization of Recreational Marijuana on Drug Use by Minors in California" (2026). All Doctoral Student Dissertations. 267.
https://fuse.franklin.edu/docpub/267
