The estimated number of adult marijuana users doubled in the United States between 2001 and 2013, reaching 9.5% of the population, according to an article published online by JAMA Psychiatry. As with alcohol, many individuals who consume alcohol become addicted. The attitude and social perception, as well as the legal treatment towards this drug is changing. In fact, there are 23 states in the country where the medical use of cannabis is regulated and allowed, and there are even four states where recreational use is allowed.
Bridget F. Grant, of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, located in Rockville, Maryland, and the other authors of the study, managed data on prevalence rates of cannabis use and rates of disorders among users in USA. The prevalence of marijuana use went from 4.1% of the adult population in 2001 to 9.5% in 2013.
The increase was particularly pronounced among women, as well as among blacks, Hispanics, and Southerners, and among individuals in the 45-64 age bracket. The dependency or addiction rate also increased from 1.5% to 2.9% in the same period. That implies that 6.8 million Americans abuse this substance. However, disorders associated with its use fell to 30% of users (from 35.6% in 2001).
The study concludes that “while many citizens believe that the prohibition of recreational use should be ended, this and other research suggests the need to be cautious and to implement public education about the potential risks of marijuana use, including the danger of falling in addiction, despite the fact that, as with alcohol, many individuals can use marijuana without becoming addicted. However, the high risk of derived disorders (30%) indicates that a balance must be found between its use in medical therapies and recreational consumption ”.
