Marijuana Trends Show Successes & Setbacks

(Winter 2016) A 12-year overview revealed a 35% increase in the current (past month) usage of marijuana by individuals age 12 and older between 2002 and 2014. The report, issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), analyzed data gleaned from the U.S. National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) between 2002 and 2014 and found the largest jump – 65%– among individuals aged 26 or older. During this same timeframe, the percentage of individuals aged 12 or older believing smoking marijuana is a very risky behavior dropped from over 51% in 2002 to around 34% in 2014. The report also found that in 2014 approximately 2.5 million Americans age 12 or older said they used marijuana for the first time. This is equivalent to about 7,000 new users daily.

In the midst of these statistics, there are a few bright spots to note. For example, past-month marijuana-use rates have declined among youth ages 12 to 17 by 10% over the last 13 years. Past-year initiation within this demographic declined as well, even though the data for this group on the perceived risk associated with marijuana use closely reflected that of the larger group noted above. Additionally, the incidence of past-year marijuana abuse and dependence dropped for those under age 26.

Perhaps due to the increasing number of states giving the nod to medical marijuana and/or legalizing recreational marijuana use, a look back over the years shows that the percentage saying marijuana was not hard to obtain rose regardless of age, as did the percentage that admitted to either growing or buying the drug themselves.

The results of this meta-study suggest it is important to continue education and prevention efforts regarding the negative effects of smoking marijuana.

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