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the state.com

CASA Releases Non-Medical Marijuana III: Rite of Passage or Russian Roulette?

Despite reported declines in teen marijuana use, in 2007 almost 11 million teens report having used marijuana. For those using the drug, four alarming trends are of grave concern for parents and teens, according to Non-Medical Marijuana III: Rite of Passage or Russian Roulette?, a new report by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University.

From 1992 – 2006:

There was a 175 percent jump in the potency of marijuana (3.2 to 8.8 percent THC concentration in seized samples).
There was a 492 percent increase in the proportion of teen treatment admissions with a medical diagnosis for marijuana abuse or dependence, compared with a 54 percent decline for all other substances of abuse.
There was a 188 percent increase in the proportion of teen treatment admissions for marijuana as the primary drug of abuse, compared with a 54 percent decline for all other substances of abuse.

From 1995-2002:

There was a 136 percent increase in the proportion of emergency department findings of marijuana as a major substance of abuse among teens, more than five times the increase in such findings for all other substances of abuse.

"The message for teens is clear--today´s pernicious pot is not your parent´s pot," said Joseph A. Califano, Jr., CASA´s Chairman and President. "The THC potency in marijuana seized in the 1970´s, when marijuana use was most prevalent, was less than one percent; today such potency levels have climbed to 8.8 percent. This increased potency parallels the increases we see in teen medical diagnoses, treatment admissions and emergencies. Parents and teachers, coaches and clergy, all who work with teens, must understand that marijuana is a risky and addictive drug with serious health and social consequences."

Despite recent declines in teen marijuana use, compared to lows in 1992 the report found that in 2007 the proportion of teens that had used the drug was 27 percent higher among eighth graders, 45 percent higher among tenth graders and 28 percent higher among twelfth graders.

Other Notable Findings

In 2007, approximately 204,000 high-school seniors used marijuana on a daily basis.
Scientific research suggests possible associations between marijuana use and schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, and other mental health problems.
CASA research has found that almost 10 million 12- to 17-year olds can buy marijuana within a day, and almost four and a half million can buy it within an hour or less.

"The good news is that in recent years teen marijuana use has declined. The bad news is that 10.7 million teens still report that they have used marijuana. The worst news is that teens who use the drug are playing a dangerous game of Russian roulette with the bullets of addiction, accidents, crime and mental illness in the chamber," noted Califano. "With all the evidence now available, simple prudence requires parents to prevent their children from using marijuana. Those parents who fail to do so are uninformed or irresponsible, or both."