59 Marijuana Addiction Statistics, Facts & Demographics

According to NCDAS, 45% of Americans have tried marijuana at least once.

Posted on
September 15, 2023
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Top 10 Most Interesting Marijuana Addiction Statistics

  • In 2020, approximately 4.4 million people in the United States met the criteria for marijuana use disorder.
  • Approximately 4 million people aged 12 or older had a marijuana use disorder in the past year.
  • According to a study, individuals who begin using marijuana before the age of 18 are four to seven times more likely to develop marijuana use disorder.
  • In 2019, more than 750,000 individuals received treatment for marijuana use disorder in the United States.
  • A recent study found that long-term marijuana use can lead to a decrease in IQ and cognitive function.
  • 48.2 million people, or about 18% of Americans, used it at least once in 2019.
  • Approximately 7% of pregnant women in the United States reported using marijuana in the past month.
  • The potency of marijuana has increased significantly in recent years, with THC levels reaching up to 20% in some strains.
  • According to NCDAS, 45% of Americans have tried marijuana at least once.
  • In 2019, marijuana use was the primary reason for almost 300,000 emergency department visits in the United States.
marijuana use in us 1 on NCDAS

How Many People Are Addicted to Marijuana Among Teens?

  • According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, approximately 9% of individuals who use marijuana will become addicted to it.
  • Among teens, the number is higher, with about 17% of those who start using marijuana in their youth becoming addicted.

This figure increases to 25-50% for individuals who use marijuana every day.

How Many People Are Using Marijuana During Pregnancy?

  • According to a study, approximately 7% of pregnant women in the United States reported using marijuana in the past month.
  • This figure increased to 12.1% among women aged 18-25.

How Popular is Marijuana Worldwide?

  • According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, an estimated 3.9% of the global population aged 15-64 used marijuana in 2019.
  • The highest rates of marijuana use were found in North America (13.2%), followed by Oceania (10.6%) and Africa (7.5%).
  • In Europe, approximately 4% of the population reported using marijuana in the past year, with the highest rates found in France and Spain.
teen substance abuse by drug on NCDAS

Marijuana Addiction Prevalence

  • Approximately 9% of individuals who use marijuana will become addicted to it, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
  • Among teens, the number is higher, with about 17% of those who start using marijuana in their youth becoming addicted. This figure increases to 25-50% for individuals who use marijuana every day.
  • In Colorado, the percentage of adults who reported using marijuana in the past month increased from 6.7% in 2011-2012 to 13.6% in 2017-2018.
  • Approximately 4 million people aged 12 or older had a marijuana use disorder in the past year. This represents about 1.5% of the US population aged 12 or older.
  • In California, for example, admissions for marijuana addiction treatment increased by over 30% between 2006 and 2010 after medical marijuana was legalized.

Marijuana Addiction Statistics & Facts by Gender

  • According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in 2020, approximately 3.2 million males had a marijuana use disorder compared to 1.2 million females.
  • In 2019, approximately 10% of adult males reported using marijuana in the past month compared to 6.3% of adult females.
  • In 2019, over 60% of individuals who received treatment for marijuana use disorder were male.

Marijuana Addiction and Mental Health

  • According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, individuals who use marijuana have a 40% higher risk of developing depression and a 50% higher risk of developing anxiety compared to those who do not use the drug.

Marijuana-Related Crimes

  • According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, there were 545,602 arrests for marijuana-related crimes in the United States in 2019.
  • Of those arrests, 92% were for possession only.
  • The American Civil Liberties Union reports that Black Americans are nearly four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than white Americans, despite similar usage rates.
  • In some states, such as Montana and North Dakota, the disparity is even greater with Black people being over six times more likely to be arrested for possession of marijuana.
  • Marijuana-related arrests account for over half of all drug-related arrests in the United States.

Marijuana Addiction in the UK

  • According to a study by the NHS, around 2.5% of adults in England and Scotland reported using marijuana in the past year.
  • In Wales, the percentage was slightly higher at 3.2%, while in Northern Ireland it was lower at 1.8%.
  • The same study found that approximately 6% of adults who used marijuana in the past year met the criteria for dependence or addiction.
  • Another study published by the British Journal of Psychiatry reported that individuals who used high-potency marijuana were more likely to develop psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia.
  • The study also found that individuals who used marijuana before age 15 were at a higher risk for developing psychosis later in life compared to those who began using after age 18.

Marijuana Addiction in Asia

  • According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, an estimated 2.7% of the population aged 15-64 in Asia used marijuana in 2019.
  • The highest rates of marijuana use were found in East and Southeast Asia (3.1%), followed by South Asia (2.5%) and Central Asia (1.9%).
  • In Japan, marijuana use remains relatively low with only 0.1% of the population reporting using it in the past year.

Marijuana Addiction in Australia

  • According to the National Drug Strategy Household Survey, in 2019, around 11.6% of Australians aged 14 and above had used cannabis in the past year.
  • The survey also found that approximately 1.4 million Australians reported using cannabis weekly or more often.
  • In terms of marijuana addiction, around 1 in 10 people who use marijuana will become addicted to it, according to the Australian Government Department of Health.

People Who Have Tried Marijuana vs. People Who Haven’t

  • According to a survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in 2019, approximately 45% of people aged 12 or older reported having tried marijuana at least once in their lifetime.
  • In contrast, about 55% of people aged 12 or older reported never having used marijuana.
  • Among adults aged 26 or older, the percentage of individuals who have ever tried marijuana increases to over 50%, with men more likely to have tried it than women.
people who have tried marijuana vs people who havent on NCDAS

The Effects of Marijuana on Teenagers

  • According to a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, marijuana use during adolescence can lead to lasting changes in the brain, with long-term effects on memory, attention, and learning.
  • Another study found that teenagers who use marijuana are more likely to experience depression and anxiety later in life compared to those who do not use the drug.
  • Approximately 1 in 6 teenagers who use marijuana will become addicted to it, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

How Many People Have Tried Using Marijuana?

  • According to a survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in 2019, approximately 45% of people aged 12 or older reported having tried marijuana at least once in their lifetime.
  • In contrast, about 55% of people aged 12 or older reported never having used marijuana.
  • Among adults aged 26 or older, the percentage of individuals who have ever tried marijuana increases to over 50%, with men more likely to have tried it than women.

Marijuana Addiction Treatment Statistics

  • In 2019, over 750,000 individuals received treatment for marijuana use disorder in the United States.
  • This represents about 15% of all substance abuse treatment admissions in the US.
  • Of those who sought treatment for marijuana addiction, approximately 52% were referred by the criminal justice system, while only 16% entered treatment voluntarily.
  • The majority of those who received treatment for marijuana addiction (about 61%) were between the ages of 18 and 34.

Marijuana Addiction and Health Risk

  • According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, smoking marijuana can lead to respiratory problems such as chronic bronchitis and lung infections.
  • Smoking marijuana also increases the risk of heart attack by 4.8 times within the first hour after use, according to a study published in The American Journal of Cardiology.
  • Individuals who use marijuana are twice as likely to experience a psychotic episode compared to those who do not use the drug.
  • Long-term marijuana use can also lead to decreased motivation and impaired memory and attention.
  • A study published in The Lancet Psychiatry found that daily cannabis users have a five times greater risk of developing psychosis than people who never used cannabis.

FAQs

What are the signs of marijuana addiction?

Some of the common signs of marijuana addiction include compulsive use, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, neglecting responsibilities, and using marijuana despite negative consequences.

Is it possible to quit marijuana on my own?

Yes, it is possible to quit marijuana on your own. However, for individuals who have developed a severe addiction to the drug, professional treatment may be necessary.

What are the treatment options available for marijuana addiction?

Treatment options for marijuana addiction may include behavioral therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing. In some cases, medications may also be used to help manage withdrawal symptoms or cravings.

How long does it take to recover from marijuana addiction?

The length of time it takes to recover from marijuana addiction can vary depending on factors such as the severity of the addiction and whether or not professional treatment is sought. Generally speaking, however, recovery can take several weeks or months.

Can I use medical marijuana if I am addicted to recreational marijuana?

It is generally not recommended for individuals with a history of substance abuse or addiction to use medical marijuana. However, this decision should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider.

Summary

Marijuana is one of the most widely used drugs in the world, with millions of people regularly consuming it for recreational or medicinal purposes.

However, while many people use marijuana without experiencing any negative consequences, others may develop an addiction to the drug that can have serious implications for their health and well-being.

This blog explores some of the most interesting statistics related to marijuana addiction, including how many people are addicted to marijuana among teens, how many people are using marijuana during pregnancy, and how popular marijuana is worldwide.

Additionally, the blog discusses the prevalence of marijuana addiction in different regions of the world and its relationship with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Finally, the blog includes a section on frequently asked questions about marijuana addiction, providing information on signs of addiction, treatment options available for those struggling with addiction, and more.

References

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/04/13/facts-about-marijuana/

https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/data-statistics.htm

https://drugabusestatistics.org/marijuana-addiction/

https://www.who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/alcohol-drugs-and-addictive-behaviours/drugs-psychoactive/cannabis

https://www.addictioncenter.com/drugs/marijuana/

https://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/marijuana/international-statistics.html

https://www.rosewoodrecovery.com/blog/marijuana-addiction-statistics

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