Marijuana Use and Marijuana Use Disorders Sharply Increase

The prevalence of marijuana use more than doubled between 2001–2002 and 2012–2013, according to an article published online ahead of print October 21 in JAMA Psychiatry. According to the report, there was a simultaneous increase in marijuana use disorders. “While not all marijuana users experience problems, nearly three of 10 marijuana users manifested a marijuana use disorder in 2012–2013,” reported lead author Deborah S. Hasin, PhD, and colleagues. Dr. Hasin is Professor of Clinical Epidemiology in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York.

Social attitudes and legal perspectives about marijuana are becoming more permissive, but little is known about whether the prevalence rates of marijuana use and marijuana use disorders have changed in the 21st century. Dr. Hasin and colleagues sought to create a nationally representative profile of the past-year prevalence of marijuana use and marijuana use disorders among the US general population to determine whether prevalence rates have changed over the past decade.

Using the data collected by the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) from 2001–2002 and from the NESARC-III from 2012–2013, the researchers were able to draw conclusions about the changing prevalence of marijuana use in the US. According to the researchers’ report, the estimated prevalence of marijuana use in 2001–2002 was 4.1%, and in 2012–2013 it had risen to 9.5%. The prevalence of DSM-IV marijuana use disorders (ie, abuse or dependence) was 1.5% in 2001–2002 and 2.9% in 2012–2013.

Subgroups that experienced a more exaggerated increase in marijuana use included women and individuals who were black, Hispanic, living in the South, and those who were middle-age or older. Subgroups with sharper increases in the prevalence of marijuana use disorders included individuals between ages 45 and 64, blacks, Hispanics, and those with the lowest incomes or living in the South.

Regarding the near doubling of marijuana use disorder prevalence, the authors speculated that the phenomenon may be due to the doubling of number of total users. The researchers found that the number of marijuana use disorders actually decreased among past-year users from 35.6% to 30.6% from 2001 to 2013. The authors noted, “If the prevalence of marijuana users in the adult general population continues to increase, then the numbers of those with marijuana use disorders may increase as well” to explain the increase in use disorder among all users studied.

“While many in the United States think prohibition of recreational marijuana should be ended, this study and others suggest caution and the need for public education about the potential harms in marijuana use, including the risk for addiction,” the researchers wrote. “As is the case with alcohol, many individuals can use marijuana without becoming addicted. However, the clear risk for marijuana use disorders among users (approximately 30%) suggests that as the number of US users grows, so will the number of those experiencing problems related to such use. This information is important to convey in a balanced manner to health care professionals, policy makers, and the public.”

—Ashley Payton

The prevalence of marijuana use more than doubled between 2001–2002 and 2012–2013, according to an article published online ahead of print October 21 in JAMA Psychiatry. According to the report, there was a simultaneous increase in marijuana use disorders. “While not all marijuana users experience problems, nearly three of 10 marijuana users manifested a marijuana use disorder in 2012–2013,” reported lead author Deborah S. Hasin, PhD, and colleagues. Dr. Hasin is Professor of Clinical Epidemiology in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York.

Social attitudes and legal perspectives about marijuana are becoming more permissive, but little is known about whether the prevalence rates of marijuana use and marijuana use disorders have changed in the 21st century. Dr. Hasin and colleagues sought to create a nationally representative profile of the past-year prevalence of marijuana use and marijuana use disorders among the US general population to determine whether prevalence rates have changed over the past decade.

Using the data collected by the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) from 2001–2002 and from the NESARC-III from 2012–2013, the researchers were able to draw conclusions about the changing prevalence of marijuana use in the US. According to the researchers’ report, the estimated prevalence of marijuana use in 2001–2002 was 4.1%, and in 2012–2013 it had risen to 9.5%. The prevalence of DSM-IV marijuana use disorders (ie, abuse or dependence) was 1.5% in 2001–2002 and 2.9% in 2012–2013.

Subgroups that experienced a more exaggerated increase in marijuana use included women and individuals who were black, Hispanic, living in the South, and those who were middle-age or older. Subgroups with sharper increases in the prevalence of marijuana use disorders included individuals between ages 45 and 64, blacks, Hispanics, and those with the lowest incomes or living in the South.

Regarding the near doubling of marijuana use disorder prevalence, the authors speculated that the phenomenon may be due to the doubling of number of total users. The researchers found that the number of marijuana use disorders actually decreased among past-year users from 35.6% to 30.6% from 2001 to 2013. The authors noted, “If the prevalence of marijuana users in the adult general population continues to increase, then the numbers of those with marijuana use disorders may increase as well” to explain the increase in use disorder among all users studied.

“While many in the United States think prohibition of recreational marijuana should be ended, this study and others suggest caution and the need for public education about the potential harms in marijuana use, including the risk for addiction,” the researchers wrote. “As is the case with alcohol, many individuals can use marijuana without becoming addicted. However, the clear risk for marijuana use disorders among users (approximately 30%) suggests that as the number of US users grows, so will the number of those experiencing problems related to such use. This information is important to convey in a balanced manner to health care professionals, policy makers, and the public.”

—Ashley Payton

The prevalence of marijuana use more than doubled between 2001–2002 and 2012–2013, according to an article published online ahead of print October 21 in JAMA Psychiatry. According to the report, there was a simultaneous increase in marijuana use disorders. “While not all marijuana users experience problems, nearly three of 10 marijuana users manifested a marijuana use disorder in 2012–2013,” reported lead author Deborah S. Hasin, PhD, and colleagues. Dr. Hasin is Professor of Clinical Epidemiology in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York.

Social attitudes and legal perspectives about marijuana are becoming more permissive, but little is known about whether the prevalence rates of marijuana use and marijuana use disorders have changed in the 21st century. Dr. Hasin and colleagues sought to create a nationally representative profile of the past-year prevalence of marijuana use and marijuana use disorders among the US general population to determine whether prevalence rates have changed over the past decade.

Using the data collected by the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) from 2001–2002 and from the NESARC-III from 2012–2013, the researchers were able to draw conclusions about the changing prevalence of marijuana use in the US. According to the researchers’ report, the estimated prevalence of marijuana use in 2001–2002 was 4.1%, and in 2012–2013 it had risen to 9.5%. The prevalence of DSM-IV marijuana use disorders (ie, abuse or dependence) was 1.5% in 2001–2002 and 2.9% in 2012–2013.

Subgroups that experienced a more exaggerated increase in marijuana use included women and individuals who were black, Hispanic, living in the South, and those who were middle-age or older. Subgroups with sharper increases in the prevalence of marijuana use disorders included individuals between ages 45 and 64, blacks, Hispanics, and those with the lowest incomes or living in the South.

Regarding the near doubling of marijuana use disorder prevalence, the authors speculated that the phenomenon may be due to the doubling of number of total users. The researchers found that the number of marijuana use disorders actually decreased among past-year users from 35.6% to 30.6% from 2001 to 2013. The authors noted, “If the prevalence of marijuana users in the adult general population continues to increase, then the numbers of those with marijuana use disorders may increase as well” to explain the increase in use disorder among all users studied.

“While many in the United States think prohibition of recreational marijuana should be ended, this study and others suggest caution and the need for public education about the potential harms in marijuana use, including the risk for addiction,” the researchers wrote. “As is the case with alcohol, many individuals can use marijuana without becoming addicted. However, the clear risk for marijuana use disorders among users (approximately 30%) suggests that as the number of US users grows, so will the number of those experiencing problems related to such use. This information is important to convey in a balanced manner to health care professionals, policy makers, and the public.”

—Ashley Payton