More Canadian teens are using marijuana than tobacco, according to a new study published by the Regional Association of West Quebecers, a government social service agency. Media and ‘Drug War’ advocates have picked up on the findings as evidence for the dangers of legalized marijuana – which is being considered in Canada. Yet, there is no indication that legalizing a drug leads to increased use. There are a number of complex factors that contribute to the rise and fall of drug use in a society.

For example, tobacco use has probably decreased amongst Canadian teens because it is legal. Economists, civil libertarians, harm reduction experts, and others point out that it is more difficult and expensive for children to buy tobacco products because cigarettes are sold in a regulated and taxed marketplace. Other factors discouraging teen tobacco use include honest public health campaigns outlining the real health dangers associated with its use and an overall shift in societal attitudes towards the drug.

Canada seems likely to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana - replacing jail terms with fines - during the current legislative session. This has no doubt fueled the controversy arising from the recent teen study. The Bush Administration has been a heavy force against Canada modernizing its public health strategy to include illicit drug use. Claims that Canada’s proposed marijuana laws will cause a further rise in teen marijuana use only contribute to U.S.-style misinformation about the drug and keep teens in the dark about their health and marijuana.

Despite the pressures of the U.S. ‘Drug War’ there is a promising shift towards sensible drug policies in other countries. This provides testimony for the benefits of treating drug use as a public health issue. Almost three decades ago the Netherlands decriminalized marijuana and saw overall marijuana use rates fall. Instead of criticizing the public health policies of its northern neighbor, the United States should adopt the successful approaches of other reform-minded countries.