A study in Washington discovered that teenagers' consumption and perception towards cannabis since its legalization as a recreational drug in 2015 has shifted.

Researchers at the UC Davis and Columbia Mailman School of Public Health said that marijuana consumption among 13 to 14 year olds and 15 to 16 year olds increased by 2 and 4 percent, respectively, in Washington since the law was introduced. Furthermore, the same groups' negative perceptions about marijuana declined by 14 and 16 percent, respectively.

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Nine states in the United States have now legalized the use of marijuana as a recreational drug, while at least 26 others for medicinal purposes.

In Nov. 26, the states of California, Nevada, Maine, and Massachusetts voted to change their marijuana laws.

Colorado legalized marijuana in 2012. Oregon, Alaska, and the state of Washington legalized it in 2015, while the United States capital Washington DC in 2014.

Any person over the age of 21 years is now legally allowed to procure at least an ounce of marijuana for recreational use. People are also legally allowed to cultivate six marijuana plants away from the view of the public.

"While legalization for recreational purposes is currently limited to adults, potential impacts on adolescent marijuana use are of particular concern," Magdalena Cerda, the author of the study, said.

Due to the increasing number of states that are legalizing the use of marijuana, the researchers are of the opinion that changes to the laws should be accompanied by prevention programs, which can be used to inform teenagers on the potential risks associated with marijuana use.

The study was published in JAMA Pediatrics.

TagsUnited States, marijuana, Drugs, Health news