Nonsense About Medical Marijuana and Teens
A new survey showing, among other things, a slight uptick in teen marijuana use, got considerable press yesterday and today. A widely-circulated Associated Press story, along with many other reports, included this claim: “The increase of teens smoking pot is partly because the national debate over medical use of marijuana can make the drugs seem safer to teenagers, researchers said.”
Baloney.
Medical marijuana burst onto the national scene in 1996, when California passed the first effective medical marijuana law, Arizona passed a flawed initiative with similar intent (whose value turned out to be only symbolic due to its wording), and the Clinton administration went ballistic. It stayed a major issue in 1998 and 1999 as a further wave of initiatives passed and the Institute of Medicine issued a report giving a qualified endorsement to medical marijuana, which has been in and out of the spotlight ever since.
In 1996, the last survey taken before any medical marijuana initiatives passed, 11.3 percent of eighth graders reported current (past 30 days) marijuana use. For 10th graders the figure was 20.4 percent, and for 12th graders it was 21.9 percent. In 2009, after 13 years of medical marijuana laws that now exist in 13 states, the figures for current use are 6.5 percent for eighth graders, 15.9 percent for 10th graders and 20.6 percent for 12th graders.
The pattern is the same for lifetime use: In every age group, marijuana use is down, not up, since the medical marijuana debate hit the national stage. That’s even true in California, where the lack of tight regulation has led to the most allegations of abuse, according to the official California Student Survey. Alas, the state no longer seems to have the data posted online, but we compiled it (and other state surveys) here.
It’s a shame that researchers who’ve been enlisted in the war on marijuana choose to repeat unfounded propaganda rather then address the reality that their federal bosses prefer to avoid: Teen access to marijuana isn’t caused by laws that let sick patients use it, it’s caused by a failed policy of prohibition that prevents the sort of sensible regulation we apply to tobacco.
Tagged with: Monitoring the Future and Research and science and teens by the author
53 comments
Tired of waiting, tired of the lies, tired of people who consume cannabis not being more active.
It is apsolutly mind blowing that at this day and age we are still having to firht this battle. To think that all these years have passed and I still am not able to vaporise some stank in the privacy of my own home. thanks to all of you whom fight the good battle on a daily bases, I can only pray for sensible reform soon. keep at it pleases!!!!!!!
Prohibitionist are desperate because they are loosing control.
Bruce: I find it interesting that they bring up medical marijuana but can’t show the corresponding statistics for each of the Medical Marijuana States. I would thionk that not only would usage rates be important in these states, but also the trend for their p[erception of availability.
I was just looking over the data graphs for the “Monitoring the Future” survey and I found it interesting that from 1996 to now the Availability (perception of) graph is showing a substantial decline in this period (may 10% or more). This would be even more important if the statistics showed that teens say the availablity is down in the Medical Marijuana states.
Maybe the regulation model (even though we all know that certain States could do a better job at their regulation) is actually showing to be effective in reducing High School student availability (perception of) to the product.
BTW – How are you guys coming with the share feature… I’d love to be able to quickly link some of these blogs and articles to Twitter and Facebook.
Oh yeah… and whoever is in charge of sending out Tweets on twitter please let them know that they need to keep in mind that if they want us to Retweet that they have to leave us room in the 140 characters to do so. To get the word out even more they should include hashtags (#MPP, #weed, #pot, #marijuana, etc.) so more people can view the tweets. The more often that we can get our ideas on trending topis the more publicity that will be brought to the movement (and in turn brought to MPP’s website)Let’s all take advantage of our social media contacts to spread this tremendous information out to the public!!!
I am available for hire!!!! Let me know and I’ll be at your office in a couple of hours for an interview!!!
Holy Smokes. Maybe the data is correct that teens are smoking more pot. Kids do not have to show any ID to buy pot. I do not want kids smoking pot. Just like; I do not want kids drinking alcohol, ingesting pharmacueticals, or smoking cigarettes. These vices are controlled and regulated. Pot is not. Ask a teenager what is easier to buy pot, beer, or cigarettes? The WHO just announced that smoking tobacco kills 5 million people a year. Would you want to make the choice to start smoking a legal product that statistically kills more people every year then just about all other vices combined. Marijuana has been repeatedly studied and reported to be a rather benign substance. With 25 million Americans reporting that they have smoked MJ in the last year it is time to step back and look at the social ill’s the policy has inadvertently created. Loss of family members, loss of property, loss of life, and loss of freedom to choose. If I could choose a safer substance I would think that all the reports and studies conclude that MJ is a safer choice. Time for change.
Mr. Obama grab your nadders, and make the right decision and end the Federal Prohibition of marijuana. Allow the states to make policy with the possesion, cultivation, taxation, and regulation of marijuana. You will be glad you did.
The rev.sLeezy
Universal Life Church of the Holy Smokes
Potland, OR
Who are these researchers that come up with this? I could buy marijuana on the school bus and that was in the late 90s.
I saw this on cnn yesterday and they also said prescription drug use by teens is up also. Why are we not hearing anything about that? When the truth is told they will see that Rx abuse is the #one choice. So many lives can be saved by legalizing, just ask the cops in Florida. How many murders are committed by cops for a sack of cannabis. Why hasn’t that story hit the news yet? We can overdose on opiats and oxy’s and drink ourselves to death but it takes a bullet from a cops weapon to silence a cannabis user. Proof on 420.com So sad isn’t it that a pot smoker gets shot and killed and we give sanctuary to terrorists. Something stinks and it is our own goverenment.
Whats the difference, shot, tasered, the man is dead!!!
Prohibiton never stopped anyoone. From highschool to today, I have always been able to get weed if I chose to do so,even large quantiies. Why? because our government doesnt really want to stop drugs flowing into this country. Theres profit in it for them too. This lie is like many in this country, our government sees dollar signs or more over..corporate,beauecratic,and international bankers make the money. Did you see the admittion by the banks yesterday…they were saved by laundering drug money….as they said.
Hummm…….
Way to go Bruce.
Bring sensibility and responsibility to marijuana prohibition.
Whether legal or not, kids can get it now, and they will always get it the same way they get it now, from their friends. The only way for the USG to get any kind of grip on this crisis is to take advantage of the situation, not control of the situation. The kids after prohibition is abolished will still get it the same way they got it before in the prohibition days. Nothing will change in that respect, just take the money away from the Cartels. The demand is there for teen use, it will not go away, except maybe by way of education. But it is harmless anyway, so wtf. Tokin since 12, 50 now.
Note: The above scenario is contingent upon what the laws would be like for underage use in a legal society. Will the penalty be serious jail time or a slap on the wrist?
Our time will come! …
One one hand they say “Smoking marijuana is becoming even more popular among U.S. teens and they have cut down on smoking cigarettes, binge drinking and using methamphetamine, according to a federal survey released Monday.” Which is a good thing, teens have moved away from deadly drugs to pot. They go on to say “These latest data confirm that we must redouble our efforts to implement a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to preventing and treating drug use.” Well “evidence based” is the biggest farce in that statement, but I’d like to point out the obvious…in this case Mr. Kerlikowski… marijuana IS the anti drug.
Bruce,
The claim in your article that “‘ the national debate over medical use can make marihuana “seem” safer to teenagers” says it all. That’s because it is proven safer, than any other substance. And way friggin funner.
Can we get a chart showing teen use percentages and the percentages of American prisoners arrested as part of the “war on drugs?” Despite the massive “uptick” in arrests, harsh laws, and self-serving government bureaucracies formed to “combat” teen drug use, it would seem that things have gotten worse despite increased enforcement agendas. In a nutshell, the stated objective of keeping kids off drugs has never worked and never will.
Alcohol use (legal) is down. Smoking tobacco (legal) is down. Meth use (laws passed to limit cold med sales) is down. Are we seeing a pattern yet, Mr. Kerlikowske? Seems as though the answer is obvious.
MPP,your organisation is to be congratulated,without your unwavering message about Cannabis liberalisation ,the United States would be in the Reefer Madness Days again. Now the prize is in sight,and it is like a snowball ,going downhill. Your hardwork is much appreciated. With Genuine Respect, Darrell Kilgore
I did read the article in the Philadelphia Inquirer which was quoting our drug B-Czar Kerlikowske, and we know the truth about medical Marijuana, but until we can print the truth in newspapers to the masses, the lie will continue.
Tired.
People saying that medical marijuana states have more marijuana abuse are ridiculous. The only merit this argument could have is if the regulations were poorly constructed. There’s a possibility you can buy more MMJ in California than you need – but I am not a patient so I can’t judge.
Anyway, if you were in a medical marijuana state, would you want to grow a lesser quality plant illegally and risk prosecution, or would you want to grow a far superior and profitable product legitimately. Which market do you think has more pot in it? Black market or medical? hmm thought so.
Keep on fightin’ boys.
This is what’s called the “Don’t mention the war!” argument. I can’t believe they’re resorting to this!
Don’t mention the war: Fawlty Towers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1O41RIKKDo
WTH isnt this america arnt we supose to be the free-est people in the world. if there truly is freedom in this contry then legalize anything u possibly can sell it tax it and leave it up to the people to figyre uot weather or not they whant to buy and use what ever drug it may be its there body if they whant somthing in it let them do it.
A…men. If people would just ‘try’ marijuana they would probably have a profoundly different (and much more positive) view on it. The government has scared the public in thinking it’s unsafe when in reality it’s very safe. The public is feeling safer with marijuana, but it’s just a start. Although is has been a long 72 years since marijuana was first made illegal; it’s a very short time in the history of marijuana itself. The government can’t ignore the truth about marijuana forever. It’s just a matter of time before we see much greater legalization progress. Let’s just hope that the government’s relentless efforts to teach kids that marijuana is “bad” won’t have a negative effect on legalization efforts. Luckily that’s a few decades down the road. And with today’s society becoming more open maybe it won’t be near as a problem in the future.
Why should cannabis cost any more than what the farmer can grow it for plus the time spent in the process. Cannabis shouldn’t cost more then $40.00 dollars per plant, which is twice what it cost to produce at todays price for seed and fertilizer plus water and the sun. The price should go down when it is re-legalized. Anything more is no better than any other drug dealer, and should be prosecuted as such. Tax?
JUST LEGALIZE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and leave it alone, for GOD’S sake.
Bud
I hope you are all writing letters to prohibitionists. Comments here are fine, but they don’t really help the cause, it’s basically just preaching to the choir. Even if you send the prohibitionists a couple of sentences, it lets them know we’re out here and that we won’t go away. Thanks !
Until cannabis is legal, the prices will stay right where they are. Which is why it costs the same to buy high quality cannabis from a collective or off the street. If you were a grower who would you sell to? The person offering the most money (whether that’s your local drug dealer or your compassionate care clinic) will win because we still live in a capitalistic society!! The only way to reduce the price is to have it legal throughout the Country.
Bud @ #27: High quality cannabis costs more that $40/plant to grow. You’ve got to not only consider the cost of the seeds, fertilizer, power, rent (you’ll probably want to grow it indoors to control it’s environment), lights, fans, cameras, maybe even a computer system to control the lights and nutrients….. but you also have to consider the opportunity cost for the grower. I can either spend the year tending to and growing cannabis or I can work a 9-5 job. Some of the costs are initial set up costs (lights, fans, etc.) but a lot are ongoing monthly expenses (rent, power, fertilizer). So let’s say I spend $1000/month in rent…. $200/month in electricity… $100/month in fertilizer. I’m spending $1300/month or $15,600 for the year. during the year I cultivate 50 plants three times during the year for 150 plants. Each will yield about 2 ounces so at the end of the year I have 300 ounces of cannabis. If I make $50,000 for the year plus the $15,600 I spent during the year… I have a cost of $218.67 per ounce.
If you prefer “brick weed” then yeah… we can plant some in the back yard and let it do it’s thing… really no cost to growing that… BUT is that what YOU want to smoke???
DEAR,BRUCE…I think that now that people are starting to come out of the closet about there personal choices is the reason for the sudden “uptick” of teen mj. use and now we are starting to really see how many of us are useing this wonderfull plant ..for all kinds of purposes . i have smoked mj. since i was about 15 years old and it has been my choice no one elses , no one held a gun to my head or made me do any kind of stupid things ,,i did it because i wanted to !! it was a way for me to escape the hussle and busle, of daily b.s. in my life , now i find that it helps me with dealing with pain from lower back problems ,post tramatic stress syndrom,depression,loss of appeitite,and chronic pain …i was in 3 major car accidents passenger in2 of those and have sufferd threw a long list of injuries,,it helps me stomach alot of medication that does not work much!! i am sick and no one can say that i have not been a ginnie pig to modern medicine!!this truely helps me and i hope that my state of wisconsin appoves this so i do not have to hide in the shadows from law inforcement any longer !!i am a law abiding citicen that pays taxes and has worked all my life!! teens smoke pot because they want to !! i would rather my kids smoke some pot then to drink!! drinking and smoking ciggarretts will kill you has anyone heard of a pot head dieing because they smoked to much?? i have not !! i have heard about some stoners that ate all of moms potatoe chips and all the candy in the house !! then fell asleep and could not be woken up unlees a gun went of !! keep on there asses MPP and free our medication!! sincerly yours dazed and confuzed!!
What I would pose to them is this if I could which I know I cannot as they really only care about being a problem.
What are the statistics of youth’s usage of alcohol a scientifically proven more dangerous substance than cannabis?
MPP I hope you have a lot of teen readers out there. OK kiddies listen up! STOP NARCING YOURSELVES OUT. When they take you to assembly for the test/survey at your school, do not, I repeat, DO NOT WRITE DOWN ON THE PAPER THAT YOU SMOKE POT, or that you HAVE TRIED POT within the last 30 days, WTF, are you all retarded. NEVER EVER, NEVER,NEVER, EVER NARC ON YOURSELF YOU DUMBASSES. SORRY I SAID THAT YOU ARE DUMBASSES, but YOU ARE. CAN”T YOU SEE WHAT “THEY” ARE UP TO! SMOKE THE “CURE”, and SHUT THE FUCK UP ABOUT IT. ENJOY LIFE.
#27, I think your right on with your pricing, even for high quality herb. The best grows in the ground out in the sun, forget that indoor scrub. On a massive scale, I think the price could be $25 to 30 a plant. Keep on growing.
Tax it, Regulate it so they can’t get a hold of it!!! Done!
If I were a teen, I would rather smoke pot than cigarettes anyway. I am completely upset how this new drug czar is handling his marijuana stance. He has completely shocked the mmj users, the mj users and we were hoping for change!??? What needs to be changed is his attitude. Would somebody please give him a hit?
its just like oxycontin alcohol or cigs….under 18 that stuff is easier to get than pot…at least it was for us…in california, just as easy, if you want to get high, you will…they are just upset that the dare program stunk, and that now, people are actually smart enough to know that pot is healthier than tobacco.
Legalize it, don’t criticize it!
I just don’t understand the concept that something that comes from a seed and grows in the earth can be illegal? Ludicrous I say!
I can see their point of view. But I would hope that these kids are smart and know that difference between marijuana and other hard drugs like cocaine, heroin, etc.. I don’t agree with “The increase of teens smoking pot is partly because the national debate over medical use of marijuana can make the drugs seem safer to teenagers, researchers said.” because marijuana is not a drug, it does not naturally fall into that category, it was placed in that category by our government. But when we make the argument about legalization of marijuana isn’t one of the key points that marijuana is safe to some degree. I would think that kids would here this info on tv or whatever and go about their biz. thinking that marijuana is safe according to some expert they saw on tv and feel less guilty I guess you can say, about trying or smoking marijuana more frequently.
I personally think that we need to go about this a little more carefully and really only have this so called medical marijuana available to patients who really need it, and i’m not talking about Joe who has trouble sleeping or needs motivation, i’m talking about ms patients, cancer patients, and others that truly experience pain. It’s hard to say that, trust me, but the only way this is going to work is if we do it the right way, if not, later on when the next president takes office this whole thing is going down the drain and this momentum will be forced back decades. We have to make sure that we as users educate those young kids about marijuana, drugs and laws. So they won’t think marijuana is okay to try at their age and so they have an understanding of the health benefits and problems that go along with smoking marijuana. Be a responsible user and do your part, not just another lazy stoner.
Christ Almighty @ 33:
If you are going to spend your entire year growing cannabis, are you going to do it for free? Or are you at least going to want to make a reasonable living? Lets’ look at your figure. $30 per plant…. assuming all $30 was PURE profit you would have to grow 800 plants to make $24,000. In your mind, outdoor canabis is better, but outdoor cannabis has a limited grow season where as indoor cannabis can be grown all year long. Under the right conditions…MAYBE you get two grow seasons which means you have to cultivate 400 plants at a time. To make $40K you would have to grow over 1300 plants…. and that doesn’t cover actual expenses. You mention growing on a “massive scale” but that would involve more people which means more set costs for the operation.
I don’t know why you think outdoor cannabis is better…. it’s not! Growing marijuana indoors has many advantages, besides the apparent fact that it is much harder to have your crop found, you can control the ambient conditions just exactly as you want them and get a guaranteed good plant. Plants grown indoors will not appear the same as their outdoor cousins. They will be scrawnier appearing with a weak stems and may even require you to tie them to a growing post to remain upright, BUT THEY WILL HAVE AS MUCH OR MORE RESIN!
Maybe you just prefer $100/ounce cannabis, but personally I only buy cannabis that’s $120/quarter (Amsterdam spoils you once you’ve been a few times).
If they want less kids to use it than they need to take the fun out of it and make it legal!
Simply another scare tactic by the Feds. It’s sad to think they are resorting to these outlandish and sensational claims. They have zero hard evience on anything marijuana and teens use…all this evidence is correlation and skewed because marijuana is still illegal and unregulated. To hell with the government, and plant the cannabis plant everywhere. I am a newly proud dad and don’t want my children to abuse any drug. I would rather my kid take cannabis than alcohol or tobacco, or precription drugs. God Bless. Give us God’s herb for free!
20%??? I DONT THINK SO. Im a tenth grader in California, Bay Area to be exact. I think its safe to say that WAYYYYYYYY more that 20% of kids have smoked in the past month. i estimate 70% of high schoolers (that i know) have ever smoked. Regulation in my area is truely low. My friends and i whip out pipes and js right across the street from school only partially hidden. I have not smoked in 62 days because of my parents… but I WILL smoke again. Its not all about the high, its about the experience, stoner community, and diversity of friends made. There arent the scene kids with the scene kids, gangsters with the gangsters, jocks with the jocks, its stoners with the stoners. THE WORLD WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE IF EVERYONE WAS A STONER.
Who says that an increase in teen marijuana use is a bad thing? Remember the first time you smoked? That’s right, you were just days away from getting your braces off when in the back hall at the eight grade dance you’re in the huff and puff huddle with your buds. Harmless. Remember?
Holy Smokes! “This is not your fathers weed! “This stuff will kill you.” I don’t think those statements are true. But, as I understand it they were spoken from federal employees. If my tax dollars are being spent for that kind of nonsense then what will they do with control of your medical and health care. Everyone will be drug tested in order to get health care from the federal government. “Have you smoked tobacco? ‘Do you drink? ‘Do you smoke marijuana? Do you take drugs? “Well, we don’t treat patients who use posion or smoke marijuana. ‘You will need to attend the mandatory drug classes before we will see you again. Conspiracy theory madness. but, what if?
The rev.sLeezy
The Universal Life Church of the Holy Smokes
Potland, OR
Hey Rev.sleezy,
That’t what I went through here in Kentucky and Indiana. The Pain Clinic in Indiana refused to treat me for my Neuropathy because I said no to their repeated drug screenings, where they drew blood and took urine from me then sent me the bill for it because I didn’t have medical insurance. The last time the nurse drew my blood there was more on the floor then there was in the vials, and she bruised my arms from all the needle sticks where she would stick me then move the needle all around trying to find the vein. When I walked out without letting her hurt me again, they reported me to the Indiana State police, my Family Doctor and the Wal-Mart Pharmacy. They said because I didn’t let them do the test, I failed, just as if I had tested positive for drug abuse. I have not smoked in over two years. When I found out that they had sent letters out saying I had failed to take the test, I told my Lawyer I would go to the other Hospital and take the test, to prove I was clean and he said it wouldn’t matter, because it was the DEA’s rules, that if someone failed to take the drug test when asked, then they wouldn’t be allowed to be treated in the Pain Clinic. Now all I can have for my pain is Lyrica, and I could be denied that also. This is all because of drug abusers and drug dealers. Someone that makes their living selling pills and pot to kids or anyone else, because it’s easier than working, is the reason I have to cope with severe pain 24/7. I’m a grandfather for christ sake! I suffer from severe pain and could benefit from medical marijuana. I’m not thinking about how to sell drugs, just so I could clear $50,000.00 a year. These guys running these so called “Non-Profit Dispensaries” with 500-800 Patients, paying $300.00 an ounce up to $80.00 for an 1/8 oz, can’t tell me they are not screwing the little guy that needs multiple types of medications, some costing $400.00-$1000.00 per month, just to stay alive. They are no different than the big Pharmaceutical Companies I get ripped off by every month. My Lyrica cost $533.33 for 60 capsules per month. I also take medications for five other conditions. After the cost of all that, how can I pay their prices for a weed that I should be able to grow myself.
Bud- #45
Holy Smokes! I’m sorry and touched by your story. I wish you the best. Keep on fighting. Like I say to the kids. Question Authority! Blessings to you and your family.
rev.sLeezy
.
Yah Baloney is the right word !
Nevertheless I agree on my countries standpoint and law that #Marijuana use should be phorbidden under at least 18.
Greetz,
Peter Lunk
http://MrLunk.Tk
http://twitter.com/MrLunk
http://twitter.com/Coffeeshopnews
http://twitter.com/420NewsTweets
wow ,you took our comments about your desp. out agian. Email me bruce. Your policys are looking like you have no ground to stand on. Why have you and the others avoid such discussions ?
have to get this off my chest.
rev sleezy? what kind of rev are you ???n are you that frickin wierd canadian that thinks he has his own churh. lmao
christ man, god or no god, you sir, have taken your bullshit to higher grounds. Get a life you fool.
See this dude gives people the impression that we are all messed in the head . The first time I heard your story, on, I think dateline. I felt emmbaressed for you and could not believe you could’ent give that reporter any good answeres . She asked why you thought you had the right to be a priest of your so called church. You said “sit down lets burn one and talk about it” wtf man, You fummbled your words worse than oj simpson.
Did you go to school to be a minister and of what you nugget?
Bruce ,man, I so want to believe and help but the more I get the “no answere thing” ever!, is leading me to believe that some how you and mpp are way in bed with the people who are profiting. (you know what I’m saying) evidently we the ones who question the perfectly obvious ,get no answeres because you want us to asume this is mpp prtactice? Do you know how many non-profit orginizations give you the dog and pony show?
Bruce when you start avoiding these questions anger frustration and the further mistrust of those “we” believe are trying to do a good thing.
My time is short so I don’t give a damn about bieng polite I have tryed endlessly to get answeres on this subject and everyone here just keeps talking about how bad there life is. Well guess what we all hurt, some of us are going to DIE and all you fucks talk about is how fluffy the bud is or wow my arm hurts., shseesh fuckin grow up and grow your own and tell people like rev sleezy mpp and the rest who think there gods of the weed movment to give us the facts not a mirror
this is what mpp is telling me
GIVE US MONEY.
DON’T QUESTION DESPENCERIES THATS OUR POLICY
SAY WHAT YOU LIKE, WE CAN ERASE IT
I HAVE PLENTY MORE.
Montel quote. “you don’t have to live in a world of hopelessness and despair”
hum should listen to your advisors
Yea sleezy, question authority, also need to question those asking the questions.
Scotslock, I haven’t deleted any comment from you. We do support both dispensaries and the right of patients to grow for themselves, but sometimes it’s necessary to compromise one or the other to get something passed — and give patients some protection instead of none at all.
O K dumb asses its like this!!! the whole country is going smokeless aka cigs and i look at it like this kids cant get their hands on cigs or liquor because of the id needed to buy cigs and beer but,you dont need a id for weed from the dealer on the street. does anybody understand this????? legalize it tax it regulate it thank you
Cigarettes and liquor do cause medical conditions; lung cancer, kidney failure etc etc. Just legalize marijuana and stop all this bull and $$$$$ being spend on a never ending issue; law enforcement should be going after serious offense.
yo, i think its about time for a marijuana revolution in america!!
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