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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19th, 2019
CONTACT:
Colton Grace
[email protected]
(864)-492-6719
State-Based Drug Use Survey Finds Marijuana Use Skyrocketing in "Legal" States
Colorado, Washington, Nevada, and
Massachusetts Post Increases in Youth Use Over Previous Year
(Alexandria, VA) - Today, state-level data [[link removed]]
from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the most authoritative study on
drug use conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA),
finds that marijuana use in "legal" states among youth, young adults, and the general
population continued its multi-year upward trend in several categories.
Additionally, use rates in "legal" states continue to drastically outstrip the use
in states that have not legalized the drug. Highlights include:

* Past-month marijuana use among young people aged 18-25 in "legal" states has increased
8 percent in the last year (30.94% versus 28.62%). Use in this age group is 50 percent
higher in "legal" states than in non-legal states (30.94% versus 20.66%).
* Past-month youth use (aged 12-17) in states with commercial sales continued its
recent upward trend. Since last year, "legal" Washington experienced the largest
surge in past month youth use with an 11 percent increase (9.94% versus 8.96%).
Colorado experienced a four percent increase (9.39% versus 9.02%).
* Massachusetts overtook Colorado as the top-ranking state for overall first-time
use, which is now number two.
* Past-month youth use in "legal" states is 40% higher than in non-legal states
(8.92% versus 6.26%). Past-year youth use in "legal" states is roughly 30% higher
than in non-legal states (15.82% versus 12.10%).
* First-time youth use in "legal" states is 30% higher than non-legal states (6.96%
versus 5.38%)
"This data show the marijuana industry is achieving its goal of hooking our kids
on today's highly potent marijuana," said Dr. Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches
to Marijuana [[link removed]]
(SAM) and a former senior drug policy advisor to the Obama Administration. "As we
learned just this week from the Monitoring the Future survey, the number of young
people who perceive marijuana as being harmful is at a historic low. Given the recent
data linking high potency marijuana with serious mental health issues, addiction,
and future substance abuse, this is extremely concerning. We call on Congress and
the President now to stop helping the pot industry and commence a science based
information campaign about the dangers of today's marijuana products."
Research has shown that the adolescent brain - particularly the part of the brain
that regulates planning for complex cognitive behavior, personality expression,
decision making and social behavior - is not fully developed until the early to
mid-20s. Developing brains are especially susceptible to all of the negative effects
of marijuana and other drug use. Given the drastic increase in marijuana use we
are witnessing in this age group in "legalized" states, there should be great cause
for concern.
"This data, combined with yesterday's Monitoring the Future study, and the statements
from the overwhelming majority of doctors, educators, substance abuse professionals
and parents, must be our guide to changing the current discourse," continued Dr.
Sabet. "We cannot allow Big Marijuana to continue to deceive the American people
for their bottom line."
###
About SAM:
Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) is the nation's leading nonpartisan, non-profit
public health alliance of concerned citizens and professionals who oppose marijuana
legalization and support science-backed marijuana policies. SAM and its 30+ state
affiliates have successfully prevented marijuana legalization in dozens of state
legislatures and at the ballot box.
Guided by a Scientific Advisory Board of scientists from Harvard, Johns Hopkins,
Yale, University of Colorado, and other esteemed institutions, SAM educates the
public on cutting edge science: marijuana is harmful, addictive, and legalization
creates social injustice and expands illicit market activity.
For more information about marijuana use and its effects, visit www.learnaboutsam.org
[[link removed]]

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