Majority of online marijuana dispensaries in the US allow children to purchase drug
Most online marijuana dispensaries in the US lack proper age verification features, a study has warned.
But researchers in New York City found only half of popular online stores require Government ID and others only ask for self-reported birth dates.
Around one in five offer delivery across state lines, even when the recipient lived in a state where cannabis was illegal.
Writing in the paper, the authors said: ‘Pediatricians and caregivers must be aware of the widespread availability of online dispensaries and potential dissemination of marijuana to minors.’
The link between recreational marijuana use and alcohol consumption in recent years has been most significant among younger adults 18 to 24
Writing in the paper, they authors said: ‘Pediatricians and caregivers must be aware of the widespread availability of online dispensaries and potential dissemination of marijuana to minors’ (stock image)
It comes despite scientists warning of the potential harms to adolescents and young adults, saying it can impair brain development, harm academic performance and be a gateway drug to stronger substances.
Dr Nora Volkow, the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), has previously told DailyMail.com young people should avoid the drug completely until their brains have fully developed.
Surveys suggest six percent of 12th graders use marijuana daily.
For the new study, published today in JAMA Pediatrics, researchers from Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York searched online to find digital cannabis dispensaries.
They used Google search terms such as ‘buy marijuana online’ and ‘order weed online’ to find the most popular dispensaries.
Each website was then analyzed for age restrictions on viewing products and making a purchase. The study was carried out from April to June this year.
Of the eighty online dispensaries based in 32 states they identified, researchers said government-issued ID for age verification was only required by 40 of them.
Eight relied on self-reported birthdates, while one each used an age-checker website or address proving residency.
Three used a selfie photo to confirm someone’s age.
The scientists said 15 sites made no formal attempt to verify someone’s age while they were purchasing marijuana.
Out of the sites, fifty were also selling edibles in colorful packaging, which the researchers warned could be attractive to minors. In the past, doctors have warned they have also found packaging disguising edibles as similar to Doritos or Gushers — helping to make them attractive to children.
The names of the sites were not revealed, but at least one was based in a state where the sale of weed is not legal — North Carolina.
The above shows cannabis use across American states. Twenty-one states and DC have legalized it for recreational use in addition to medicinal use, while nearly all now allow it to be used for medicinal purposes
The researchers, led by pediatrician Ananya Terala, wrote in the paper: ‘This cross-sectional study found that most online marijuana dispensaries lacked adequate age verification features and most accepted nontraceable payment methods, enabling youth to hide their transactions.
‘Despite regulations, availability of marijuana products remains seemingly high, exacerbated by potential shipment across state lines.
‘It is imperative to require strict age verification procedures prior to cannabis purchases online and to establish stringent surveillance of online marijuana dispensaries to protect youth.
Most recently in June, Minnesota became the 24th state to legalize marijuana for recreational use for those over 21 years old. The law will come into effect next year.
But there are now signs of pushback nationwide — with Oklahoma, North and South Dakota and Arkansas all rejecting legalizing the drug within the last year. Only six states ban the drug outright.
Parents have been coming forward in states where the drug has received the green light to warn it is nothing like the ‘Woodstock weed’ used in the 1980s hippy movement and is now much stronger.
It comes amid reports the legal marijuana industry is on the ‘verge of collapse’ after being hamstrung by high prices and a thriving illicit pot market.