The journal Lancet Psychiatry recently released the results of a study which examined the use and opinions of 500 American adults on marijuana over 12 years. Looking at data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2002 to 2014, the researchers found that marijuana use among American adults has increased, and its
The journal Lancet Psychiatry recently released the results of a study which examined the use and opinions of 500 American adults on marijuana over 12 years. Looking at data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2002 to 2014, the researchers found that marijuana use among American adults has increased, and its perception as being harmful has decreased.
When asked about smoking marijuana “once or twice a week,” only 33.3 percent found it to be a “great risk,” down from the previous figure of 50.4 percent. More startlingly, virtually three times as many respondents now see such marijuana use as causing “no harm” whatsoever – a shift from 5.6 percent to now 15.1 percent.
These changes in attitude are correlated with an increase in use. The study found that the number of people who use marijuana has also gone up – from 10.4 percent to 13.3 percent. The researchers also note that these figures may also be under-reported, as many respondents may have feared legal repercussions if they answered in the affirmative.
