Marijuana Use Doubled in Past Decade
Shocking new information published in JAMA Psychiatry from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states that marijuana use doubled from 2001 to 2013.
Researchers analyzed nationally representative data from both the 2001-2002 and 2012-2013 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Condition on marijuana use and marijuana use disorders in the United States. It showed that in 2001-2002, 4.1 percent of study participants used marijuana. The more recent study showed that marijuana use jumped all the way to 9.1 percent. Even more concerning was that the study showed that 3 out of every 10 Americans who used marijuana were diagnosed with a marijuana use disorder. The study showed that those who most commonly used marijuana were those between the age of 45 and 64, were Hispanic or Black, and had the lowest income levels in their area.
Researchers indicated the need for public education on marijuana use, specifically on the risk of addiction. Many continue to believe that marijuana is not dangerous or addicting. Education is needed, especially because 23 states in the United States have legalized medical marijuana, 4 of which have also legalized marijuana for general use.