Person with marijuana joint and lighter
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health comparison of 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 data, conducted by SAMHSA, marijuana use is higher among those ages 12 and older in states that have legalized recreational use. The annual survey points out that in Colorado, more young people are trying marijuana for the first time than any other state. The survey also finds that Colorado ranks at the top of the list for having the lowest perception of risk of using marijuana among teens.
Marijuana legalization in Colorado is a failed experiment that the rest of the country and world needs to recognize. Our youth are being preyed upon by big marijuana, hooking them on highly potent marijuana gummies, candies, waxes, and blunts. It is up to all of us to take a stand and educate our youth about the harms of marijuana.
Here are some key findings from the study:
- Past month use of marijuana among those ages 12 and older is 7.6% greater in states that have legalized recreational use compared to states that have not. More noticeably, past month marijuana use is 8.7% greater among those ages 18 and older in states that have legalized recreational use.
- Past year use of marijuana among those ages 12 and older is 10% greater in states that have legalized recreational use compared to states that have not. More noticeably, past year use is 10.5% greater among those ages 18 and older in states that have legalized recreational use.
- In 2017, past month marijuana use among 12-17 year-olds was highest in Vermont (10.75%), followed by Oregon (10.35%).
- In 2017, past year marijuana use among 12-17 year-olds was highest in Vermont (17.88%), followed by Oregon (17.01%).
- In 2017, perception of great risk from smoking marijuana once a month among 12-17 year-olds was lowest in Colorado (16.21%), followed by Oregon (16.84%).
To read the full National Survey on Drug Use and Health, please click here.
