With 23 states having approved medicinal marijuana use and four legalizing pot outright, many were worried that teen use of the drug would soar. However, according to a study published in Lancet Psychiatry, teen pot use actually may be declining.

According to data from more than 1 million eighth, 10th and 12th graders in the span of 24 years, researchers found that teen marijuana use dropped a bit in states that had legalized at least some form of marijuana use.

Granted, the drop was small—from 16 percent to 15 percent on average—and teen marijuana usage already was a bit higher in states that had legalized the substance. Teen usage in states that still forbid marijuana use for any reason is approximately 13 percent.

Scientists say the fact rates of marijuana haven’t increased still is telling and may help reshape debate regarding the issue.

“Our study findings suggest the debate about the role of medical marijuana laws in adolescent marijuana use should cease and that resources should be applied to identifying the factors that do affect risk,” researchers said in Lancet Psychiatry. (LiveScience)

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