It is a Myth That 'Everybody is Doing It.'
Marijuana is the most common illegal drug used by the population, representing its popularity and strengthening the case for its legalization. But how many people actually use the drug? When asked, only about 6 percent of Americans admitted to using the drug in the past month -- what the government calls “current” marijuana users. Half of all drug users use marijuana only, and one-quarter of drug users do not use it at all. In fact, 12 and 13 year olds use psychotherapeutics non-medically and inhalants at rates higher than they smoke marijuana; rates of marijuana use were highest for the young adult age group (18 to 25 years), with 17 percent using marijuana (SAMHSA 2004). Using a different, more school-specific survey, 7.5, 17, and 21.2 percent of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders, respectively, used marijuana in the past 30 days -- a significant drop from the mid-nineties, when drug use rates in almost every major category skyrocketed (Johnston et al 2004). Since 2001, 600,000 less youth in the U.S. have used drugs. The declining popularity of MDMA and LSD contributed to this drop, but marijuana use has also dropped significantly.
The number of marijuana users is far lower than the number of people using our two legal drugs, tobacco and alcohol. Fifty percent of all Americans report to be current drinkers (SAMHSA 2004). Among young people, the prevalence of current alcohol use in 2003 increased with age, from 2.9 percent at age 12 to about 70 percent of people aged 21 or 22 years old. Thirty percent of all Americans report to be current tobacco users (SAMHSA 2004). 14.4 percent of 12 to 17 year olds report to use tobacco; the rate is 45 percent for 18 to 25 year olds.
Even considering that self-reported data for marijuana use might undercount users, it is still a stretch to claim that “everybody is doing it” – a favorite catch phrase of those in favor of legalization. The evidence shows that far more people use our legal substances. Still, marijuana use is widespread among the illegal drugs, and one could hardly argue that current American policy on marijuana is perfect. It is not. But the serious advocate of public health and public safety would ask how we can make our existing policies work better before blindly walking into the uncertain territory of experimenting with legalization.
Sign up for the OV Daily Newsletter
OV Social
you may have an excellent blog here! would you wish to make some invite posts on my weblog? Phentermine Dashboard
first of all, the fact that the only thing you can write to explain why you are not for legalizing marijuana is that not everyone is doing it is sad. it sounds like your the one who is being influenced into the horrible predicament of peer pressure. Also for the record at least 70% of everyone i have met in my life has tried it before. none of them have been affected by marijuana alone. The ones that were affected by drug abuse didnt abuse marijuana. The arguement of it being a gateway drug is invalid, because as soon as it becomes legal it wont be a gateway drug anymore. The only reason weed is a gateway to more dangerous paths is because one who can illegally get a hold of weed knows how to get more powerful drugs as well. Before you can call yourself an expert, you should probably do a bit of research first. just saying
Yes men will get paid isn't that right Sabet, you have something on your nose there it's brown and smelly...
Wow, I can't believe someone would rather see people drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes than eat marijuana ? So all the alcohol related fatal motor vehicle crashes, cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis (one of the most painful diseases if you haven't experienced it - some people commit suicide with chronic pancreatitis due to the pain and no current reliable transplantation available). Also, would you rather have your father or husband drunk all the time or high. I've seen many angry drunks, but not angry potheads. Anyway, just my 2 cents.
When it comes to an illicit substance, especially one with such a stigma attached to it's users, a poll will not give you accurate information. I have a history of working at a drug treatment center for several years. I've seen doctors , lawyers, politicians, people from all walks of life who use marijuana . Ironically, marijuana was never their reason for being in treatment. It was normally prescription drugs , but they also admitted to occasional pot use. Additionally, I am simply an "average Joe" type citizen who does not use marijuana, but because I'm a very laid-back person, a friend will quickly admit to me to using marijuana. Out of the dozens of friends I have, 60% have admitted to me to using marijuana. Your statistics are way too low and for obvious reasons. Who in their right mind, especially those who are professionals or hold a high ranking job , would admit to using marijuana, even in a poll? It's ludicrous you would even take the information gathered from that poll as true. That simple fact shows me just how out of touch you are with the real world.
"When asked, only about 6 percent of Americans admitted to using the drug in the past month -- what the government calls “current” marijuana users."
Any scientist (including doctors ) who believes this is a credible statistic is either incompetent or corrupt. It doesn't make the least bit of sense to believe that the government that threatens the lose of life, liberty, property, wealth, children , houses, jobs , etc is going to get an honest response out of people.
" But the serious advocate of public health and public safety would ask how we can make our existing policies work better before blindly walking into the uncertain territory of experimenting with legalization ."
Oooh...the uncertain territory of liberty! Just imagine if people could grow flowers and hemp for rope without risking criminal penalties far beyond what the average child molester faces! What a dangerous place we would be in then!
Why, think of the menace if elderly former Marines with bone cancer could smoke marijuana without facing all of these penalties!!! They fought for our freedom, so we must deny it to them in their greatest time of need, because Dr. Kevin Sabet needs a job! and that's really important, because without prohibition, where else could an incompetent person with no skills and an excess of ego get a job and the facade of credibility?
Of course there are fewer marijuana users than users of alcohol and cigarettes . The drug is illegal ! I would also like to point out that a recent study showed an interesting correlation. The study showed that the consupmtion of marijuana along with "binge drinking" actually protects the white matter of the brain. Not only is marijuana safer than booze, it protects the brain from it. A little off topic but interesting regarless.
The reason why the government is getting those marijuana user statistics is most likey because its the government itself taking the statistics. I myself recreationally use marijuana, but if the government asked me if i did, or sent out surveys asking if i did, i, and alot of people i know would say no i do not use it, and so would everyone of my friends. However, if it was a legalization orginaztion like NORML me and my friends would all say yes to any survey they'd send out. Simply because its not the government.
Even if you prove that not everyone is doing it, why shouldn't it be legal? Maybe everyone is not doing it because it is illegal. Are you afraid that everyone will do it after it is legalized? Then everyone will realize what they were missing out on in life. I mean it's jsut a plant. What if i just want to grow it because it thik its beatiful. Can i not have the right to grow it?
We already know what it was like when it was legal, before 1937. The country got along just fine, thank you very much. Cannabis was used in children's cough syrup and sleeping drafts, and no one died. They just stopped coughing and slept really well.
I consider myself a normal person, three kids, 30 year career with major company, retired, and no police record. In the 60 years I have been around I would say 70 to 75% of the people I have known in my life use Marijuana to some degree. Perhaps just at a party, after work, or on a more regular basis I see no problem with it. So why are our representatives so opposed to it being legal? Follow the money is all I can tell you. They continue to enslave one in three blacks using the war on drugs for the excuse it is time to replace them.