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Analysis shows increases in marijuana use, disorder prevalence in last decade
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Analysis of two nationally representative samples of Americans indicate past-year prevalence of marijuana use and marijuana use disorder increased from 2001 to 2013, though marijuana use disorder decreased among marijuana users.
“In the United States, laws and attitudes toward the use of marijuana are changing. Twenty-three states now have medical marijuana laws, and marijuana use is higher in states with such laws than in other states. Four of these states have also legalized marijuana for recreational use,” Deborah S. Hasin, PhD, of Columbia University, New York, and colleagues wrote. “More Americans now favor legalization of marijuana use than in previous years. Further, fewer Americans view marijuana use as risky, although studies have shown that use or early use of marijuana is associated with increased risk for many outcomes, including cognitive decline, psychosocial impairments, vehicle crashes, emergency department visits, psychiatric symptoms, poor quality of life, use of other drugs, a cannabis-withdrawal syndrome, and addiction risk.”
Researchers analyzed in-person interviews conducted across two nationally representative samples of U.S. adults, the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (n = 43,093) and the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (n = 36, 309), to determine prevalence rates of marijuana use and marijuana use disorder. Data were collected from April 2001 to April 2002 and April 2012 to June 2013.
Prevalence of marijuana use in the past year increased from 4.1% in 2001 to 2002 to 9.5% in 2012 to 2013 (P < .05).
Researchers found significant increases in past-year prevalence of marijuana use across demographic subgroups, including sex, age, race/ethnicity, education, marital status, income, urban vs. rural, and region.
Past-year prevalence of a DSM-IV marijuana use disorder increased from 1.5% in 2001 to 2002 to 2.9% in 2012 to 2013 (P < .05).
Most increases in the prevalence of marijuana use disorder between 2001 to 2002 and 2012 to 2013 were statistically significant across all demographic groups, according to researchers. However, the prevalence of marijuana use disorder significantly decreased from 2001 to 2002 (35.6%) to 2012 to 2013 (30.6%) among marijuana users.
“This study and others suggest caution and the need for public education about the potential harms in marijuana use, including the risk for addiction. As is the case with alcohol, many individuals can use marijuana without becoming addicted. However, the clear risk for marijuana use disorders among users (approximately 30%) suggests that as the number of U.S. users grows, so will the number of those experiencing problems related to such use. This information is important to convey in a balanced manner to health care professionals, policy makers, and the public,” the researchers concluded. – by Amanda Oldt
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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Kevin P. Hill, MD, MHS
This important study supports what we have all seen: marijuana is an important issue that is not going away. In fact, it is snowballing. Marijuana use has doubled in the past ten years, so we need to double our efforts to educate people about marijuana and to develop effective treatments for those who are addicted to it.
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