Monitoring the Future,* the nation’s annual survey of students, reported today marijuana use in 8th, 10th and 12th grades was higher than last year. The survey also found that students in medical marijuana law states vaped marijuana at higher rates than students in other states, and consumed pot edibles (that can come in candies, sodas, or ice-creams) at double the rate than in non-medical marijuana law states. The survey does not include youth who drop out of school.
Misuse of prescription opioids continued its 10-year decline. Virtually all other substances are at their lowest point in the history of the survey. The contrast is very significant, because many people think the overprescribing of opioids is the only reason our youth die of drug abuse. They fail to reflect on the fact that early marijuana use is a predictor of other substance abuse. They also fail to understand that marijuana is frequently among the drugs found in those who die in overdose deaths.
“We would be in a period of low substance abuse for youth if it weren’t for cannabis,” asserted David Rettew, MD, of the University of Vermont.** He added that the kids using it now might otherwise not be using any substances at all.
“THC candies and vapes are becoming increasingly popular among young people at a time when almost every drug using behavior is steeply falling,” said Kevin Sabet, Ph.D., President of SAM. “Almost every drug other than marijuana is going down. Without lax laws and the massive commercialization of pot, it is likely we would also see a decrease in marijuana use too. These numbers are a wake-up call for the public and elected officials.”
Colorado, Other Legalization States Lead the Pack
Just last week, other data from the federal government found that Colorado was the #1 state in the U.S. for first time marijuana users 12 and over. Young adult use also soared in legalized states at a much faster rate than in non-legal states.
Numerous organizations such as Parents Opposed to Pot, Act on Drugs, Smart Colorado, Coloradans Against the Normalization of Dope – work night and day to warn against our children starting pot use. Smart Colorado depends on raising thousands of dollars to counter the marijuana industry which has infiltrated every level of Colorado’s government. At the same time, youth in Colorado are dying of poly substance abuse. Today’s addiction problem is a multi-substance problem
“The marijuana industry is today’s Big Tobacco,” according to Kevin Sabet. He blames businesses that market vapes, marijuana edibles and other highly potent forms of THC. Monitoring the Future blames the increase of youth use on the declining perception of marijuana as harmless.
The Expert Sources
*From MTF:
Overall, 43,703 students from 360 public and private schools participated in this year’s MTF survey. Since 1975, the survey has measured drug, alcohol, and cigarette use and related attitudes in 12th graders nationwide. Eighth and 10th graders were added to the survey in 1991. Questions are also asked about daily cigarette and marijuana use. NIDA has provided funding for the survey since its inception by investigators at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Dr. Richard Miech currently leads the study. MTF is funded under grant number DA001411. Additional information on the MTF Survey can be found at www.drugabuse.gov/drugpages/MTF.html. The University of Michigan press release can be found at http://monitoringthefuture.org.
**About Dr. Rettew
David Rettew is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics
Director, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship
Director, Pediatric Psychiatry Clinic
University of Vermont College of Medicine
***About SAM
Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) is a nonpartisan, non-profit alliance of physicians, policy makers, prevention workers, treatment and recovery professionals, scientists, and other concerned citizens opposed to marijuana legalization who want health and scientific evidence to guide marijuana policies. SAM has affiliates in more than 30 states.
