Introduction: Arguments both for and against the legalisation of cannabis often include the issue of youth protection. At the time of writing 5-years after market the implementation of the Coloradan recreational cannabis market (CRCM), no statistically significant increase in consumption patterns had been identified. This paper aimed to provide a thick descriptive account of youth prevention objectives stipulated in the pre-implementation phase of the Coloradan recreational cannabis market (CRCM) and compare these with the real-world experience of regulators and other stakeholders intimately involved with market implementation.
Methodology and Methods: A qualitative descriptive methodology was incorporated including the following methods: document analysis, thematic analysis, thick description, and deductive coding. Two data sets relevant to youth protection in the context of a legal cannabis market in Colorado were examined. Data set 1 examined government documents (n=13) related to the pre-implementation phase from November 2012 - December 2013, while data set 2 consisted of semi-structured face-to-face interviews conducted with a small group of key stakeholders (n = 32) in 2016 and 2017.
Results: Five subthemes emerged including advertising restrictions (DS1), education (DS1), appropriation of funds (DS2), impact assessment (DS2), and the evolving message in prevention education campaigns (DS2).
Discussion: Multiple lessons for other jurisdictions were highlighted in the study.