It is common knowledge that many countries, including the U.S., are now more receptive towards recreational and medical use of marijuana. However, some still have their reservations about it.
According to a recent study, people now consume more marijuana on a daily basis compared to alcohol consumption.
The U.S. and Marijuana Use
Most of the states in the United States of America now allow their residents to use marijuana either for recreational use or medical purposes. However, some states and countries outside the U.S. are beginning to consider reversing this policy.
A recent study found that the tables have turned in the U.S., and people now consume marijuana more than they drink alcohol on a daily basis.
The Study
Jonathan Caulkins, a cannabis policy researcher from Carnegie Melon University, authored this study and published it in the Journal of Addiction.
His detailed research used data from the National Survey on Drug and Health Use, which is one of the most widely trusted sources that gives accurate estimates of tobacco, alcohol, and drug use in the United States of America.
Changes Over Time
His study successfully tracked how self-reported use of marijuana has been changing over the past forty years. This ranges from 1979 to 2022 and has a recorded 1,641,041 participants across 27 different surveys with the institute.
The data had detailed information about the trends of drug use as the social and legislative sectors changed their attitudes toward marijuana.
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A Comparison
According to the study’s results, daily and near-daily use of marijuana has become more common than alcohol consumption in the U.S. for the first time in history. Using the data in 2022, about 14.7 million people reported that they drank daily or near daily.
However, about 17.7 million people recorded that they used marijuana daily or near daily, which is significantly higher.
Marijuana Is Similar to Tobacco Use
According to the report, the daily use of this drug is more similar to the behavior of smokers than that of frequent drinkers. This is because about 40% of marijuana users report that they use it daily or near daily.
This is a common practice among those who smoke tobacco and not those who use alcohol frequently.
A Decline During Stricter Periods
Understandably, the use of cannabis was much lower during the periods that had strict rules and greater restrictions on its use. The report shows that 1992 was the lowest level of usage in the U.S. thanks to Reagan’s advocacy against drugs and a decade-long enforcement of strict conservative policies in the country.
Therefore, many people did not use marijuana or note its usage during that year.
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Policy Liberations
In addition, the period that has policy changes and liberation showed a significant increase in the reported use of marijuana across the country. The study shows that marijuana use increased by 120% between 2008 and 2022.
This 14-year period showed the relaxation of bans on marijuana use and how society has also adjusted to the change.
Legal Changed
Over the past 40 years, the trend of marijuana use has majorly depended on public policies on drug use. Since 2008, the federal government has not directly interfered with the legalization of cannabis use at the state level.
However, it is still illegal at the federal level. According to recent reports, the federal government is also taking steps to further reduce the stigma associated with marijuana by classifying it as less dangerous.
The Increase in Marijuana Use
Since 2008, the number of self-reported use of marijuana has continued to increase significantly. This is thanks to the fact that the state laws have now legalized it, thereby reducing the social stigma against it as well.
Therefore, people are more comfortable with admitting this drug use. On the other hand, it is possible that more people used marijuana even when it was not legal but simply didn’t want to report the truth.
The Risks of High-Frequency Marijuana Use
On the downside, other studies have shown that these high levels of marijuana users may have a lot of negative consequences. A higher frequency of usage can cause the user to be addicted. It can also cause a very high risk of developing health issues.
Not only are high users at risk of respiratory problems, but they also have a risk of mental illnesses.
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The Potential Impact of Usage
The potential impact of marijuana after a long time of usage has not yet been determined to its full extent. Therefore, researchers need to carry out more studies to find out the effects and implications on the health of its users.
This can help the government to be informed properly, helping them make policies that can help the citizens in the long run.
The Importance of Data
The reason for the increase in daily or near-daily use of marijuana by citizens is not solely because of the change in legal policies in the states. It is also a result of the increased use for medical purposes.
Therefore, with more research, the government and citizens alike will know the potential long-term risks of prolonged cannabis usage and make informed decisions along the way.
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