Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Why would legalizing it make it harder for minors to get ahold of it? Legalizing increases the marginal legal risk (and thus expected cost) of selling to minors (still illegal) vs. selling to everyone else. The same is true of non-sale person-to-person distribution.
Ok, so you are saying given X minor marijuana user, it would be harder for X to obtain marijuana post legalization vs. pre legalization. That I agree with because X's dealer is willing to break the law to sell to minors while convenience store employees are less likely to. However, the point is moot because legalizing marijuana increases it's overall availability, image, and appeal and thus you'll have more minors us…
I don't think legalization had as large of an effect on the perception and availability of cannabis as you say, part of the reason Colorado was one of the first to legalize is likely due to our already 'positive' image of it. Colorado and other states that legalized all already had medical programs that were commonly abused; either by little restrictions on access (Red cards) or allowing more growing & cultivation than the actual medical population could theoretically consume.
Being from Colorado, I have to say, anecdotally, that usage is up in young adults 18+ is up since it's never been more available and 'tolerated' at Colorado Universities. Dorms are pretty strict if they can smell it but concentrates are much eaiser to conceal and cheaper than edibles & flower. I can comment personally on its effect on minors (<18) but some reports did show it declined in that specific population following legalization (I don'r recall if they reported on the 18-21 population).