According to health department surveys in the state of Utah, more students in the state are reporting that they smoke weed.
Even though Utah has some of the lowest rates of teen marijuana use in the country, health experts say that as more states around Utah are legalizing marijuana the effects are being felt there.
“They think it’s not bad if it’s legal. Plus, it’s green, it’s a plant. They have all these excuses, kids,” remarked Pamella Bello, the Summit County Health Department Director of Behavioral Health Prevention.
In states where recreational marijuana use was legalized, Bello says they are seeing other problems crop up.
“Delinquency went up in those states. The money they thought they were getting from taxing, they didn’t get that amount of money.”
According to Bello, the number of adults using marijuana grows it creates easier access for kids and teens.
“Kids get it from you know their houses if they can find it. There are a lot more people selling it out there,” said Bello.
