Baby boomers fuel jump in pot use

Salt Lake Tribune ^ | 5/5/04 | Lindsey Tanner

[qam1]

CHICAGO -- Habitual marijuana use increased among U.S. adults over the past decade, particularly among young minorities and baby boomers, government figures show.

The prevalence of marijuana abuse or dependence climbed from 1.2 percent of adults in 1991-92 to 1.5 percent in 2001-02, or an estimated 3 million adults 18 and over.

That represents an increase of 800,000 people, according to data from two nationally representative surveys that each queried more than 40,000 adults.

Among 18- to 29-year-olds, the rate of abuse or dependence remained stable among whites but surged by about 220 percent among black men and women, to 4.5 percent of that population, and by almost 150 percent among Latino men, to 4.7 percent.

Among all adults ages 45 to 64, the rate increased by 355 percent, to about 0.4 percent of that population. The report, published in today's Journal of the American Medical Association, was led by Wilson Compton of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, who said the rise in dependence was probably due at least partly to increases in the potency of pot over the past decade.

Also, the figures may indicate that baby boomers "bring their bad habits with them into old age," he said. The researchers said adults were considered marijuana abusers if repeated use of the drug hurt their ability to function at work, in school or in social situations, or created drug-related legal problems.

Drug users were considered dependent if they experienced increased tolerance of marijuana, used it compulsively and continued using it despite drug-related physical or psychological problems.

Overall use of the drug -- that is, casual use and habitual use -- remained stable at around 4 percent of adults.

"This study suggests that we need to develop ways to monitor the continued rise in marijuana abuse and dependence and strengthen existing prevention and intervention efforts," said Nora Volkow, the institute's director. Programs that target young black and Latino adults are particularly needed, she said.

Increases in dependence among young minorities may reflect their growing assimilation into sectors of white society where marijuana use is more accepted, Compton said.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism contributed to the report.

[WASH]

Among all adults ages 45 to 64, the rate increased by 355 percent, to about 0.4 percent of that population.

The prevalence of marijuana abuse or dependence climbed from 1.2 percent of adults in 1991-92 to 1.5 percent in 2001-02, or an estimated 3 million adults 18 and over.

0.4 percent boomers vs. 1.5 percent all adults Seems like the rates of marijuana abuse or dependence is almost 25% less in boomers than other generations.

[Khurkris]

My standard pot reply...

Smoking pot makes ya stupid and argumentative. Prolly has someting to do with the sugar peaks and drops that occur. I have done no scientific research on this.

Thank you.

...and don't drink the bongwater.

[Khurkris]

This chart would seem to indicate that the major growth in use & dependence occured among blacks and latinos. The white group use looks to be less than the average % of increase during the years specified.

Damn white man be holdin' 'em down again!

[onedoug]

PUNG

[JohnnyZ]

0.4 percent boomers vs. 1.5 percent all adults Seems like the rates of marijuana abuse or dependence is almost 25% less in boomers than other generations.

Well, duh. It's highest among the youngest. But it's much much higher among the Boomers than among their predecessors in that age bracket.

[WASH]

But it's much much higher among the Boomers than among their predecessors in that age bracket.

Please - A link or reference to back that claim up.

[A CA Guy]

Wow, great reason to increase the law enforcement against all things related to illegal drugs. I can imagine the hell hole the country would be if this ever was legal.

I heard other how past countries that tried legalization are having to go back to enforcement since they are killing their civilization.

Well, duh! Hart to figure legalizing it would grow addicts.

[A CA Guy]

Back when that was made, pot was far weaker compared with today.
Sure is good we enforce the law.

We need to hunt down the foreign distributers and start helping them reach room temperature as well to help childern aviod this evil busines of self medicating with illegal drugs.

[A CA Guy]

Acceptable if you don't get drunk while in public to get people hurt or at home while caring for kids.

[JohnnyZ]

Please - A link or reference to back that claim up.

Among all adults ages 45 to 64, the rate increased by 355 percent

HellOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, did we read the same article???

[RightWhale]

$400 billion a year. Big industry for something that grows wild along the railroad tracks.

[expatguy]

Just out of curiosity, is there anything such as marijuana use?

Why is it always called abuse?

[gathersnomoss]

Hey, I resemble that remark...

No no no no
I don't smoke it no more
I'm tired of waking up on the floor.

Some never grow up...

[kittymyrib]

The pathetic boomers will remain their indulgent selves till the last shovel of dirt hits the last boomer casket. How could the World War II generation be such flops as parents?

[LowOiL]

1.2 percent of adults in 1991-92 to 1.5 percent in 2001-02

There for a minute, I thought this was a statistic for LP voters in America, then I realized it was probable over inflated numbers.

[fuzzycat]

You know, I really resent that sort of stereotyping. I was born in 1947 fathered by a 1st Cavalry Sargeant and all I've ever done is work my ass off. Now if some people want to smoke a little weed that's OK. I have never seen anyone addicted to pot and I have been around plenty of people who do it. On the other hand I have seen so many lives f'ed up by alcohol it ain't funny. Stop the stereotyping BS. It ain't the weed that that causes so many problems it's the illegality. Furthermore stupid people on pot are stupid when they're straight.

[KangarooJacqui]

*Wonders how long this thread will keep out of the Smokey Backroom... marvels at the politeness of the thread so far*

[DumpsterDiver]

I'm gonna have to go back to using the "/sarcasm" in my posts.

[ThinkDifferent]

Back when that was made, pot was far weaker compared with today.

Wrong.

The original ONDCP "Facts" correspond with estimates from UCLA professor Mark Kleiman that marijuana has roughly tripled in potency. Kleiman also notes that there is no evidence at all that marijuana is getting kids more stoned than it used to. Writing on his own blog, Kleiman cites the respected annual University of Michigan study that asks respondents about levels of intoxication. Writes Kleiman: "The line for marijuana is flat as a pancake. Kids who get stoned today aren't getting any more stoned than their parents were. That ought to be the end of the argument." Kleiman points out that the average joint is now half its former size, so even if kids are smoking more powerful pot, they are smoking less of it. " 'Not your father's pot' is a great way to convince [boomer parents] to ignore their own experience, personal or vicarious, and believe what they are told to believe."

[NYC GOP Chick]

Oddly enough, using this definition, the best way the government could discourage marijuana abuse would be to stop arresting users!

Ssshh! You're not to supposed to say that aloud!