Oklahoma has seen a 73% increase in youth marijuana use since the state legalized medical marijuana in 2018, according to data from the latest Texoma High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area report. The state now ranks third in the nation for past month marijuana use among youth, a significant rise from the previous survey. Youth marijuana use has increased by 44% in the years following legalization, compared to the four years prior. The data suggests that access and perception of risk may be playing a role. The 15 states with the highest youth use rates tend to have the most restrictive marijuana laws, with Oklahoma and Hawaii being exceptions as medical only states. Mark Woodward, Spokesman for the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, said marijuana access is being diverted from legal grows and continued black market sales.