Revealing Marijuana Addiction Statistics & Facts

Top 10 Key Marijuana Addiction Statistics & Facts

• In 2020, nearly 18% of Americans aged 12 or older, approximately 49.6 million people, reported using marijuana within the previous year.
• Over 5% of marijuana users, approximately 14.2 million people, grappled with a cannabis use disorder.
• Individuals who begin using marijuana before the age of 18 may be 4–7 times more likely than adults to develop a marijuana use disorder.
• Young, male, Black, and Native American individuals were more likely to engage in higher frequency cannabis use.
• The prevalence of cannabis use varied significantly by age, gender, race, marital status, education, employment, and income.
• Higher-frequency cannabis use was associated with younger age, male gender, Black and Native American race, and lower educational attainment.
• Being married or identifying as Asian or Hispanic was associated with lower-frequency cannabis use.
• Higher-frequency cannabis use was more common among individuals in younger age groups and those with lower socioeconomic status.
• These statistics highlight the prevalence and demographic trends associated with marijuana addiction.
• Targeted awareness and intervention programs are essential to mitigate the risks and consequences of marijuana use disorder.

Understanding Marijuana Addiction

Before diving into the facts and figures surrounding marijuana addiction, it's important to grasp the fundamentals of the condition itself. This includes a general overview of marijuana addiction and an understanding of the impact of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration.

Overview of Marijuana Addiction

Marijuana addiction, also known as marijuana use disorder, is a condition that develops when a person builds a dependence on the drug. This often happens after prolonged usage, leading to cravings and withdrawal symptoms during abstinence. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, adults seeking treatment for marijuana use disorders have, on average, used marijuana nearly every day for more than 10 years and have attempted to quit more than six times.

Moreover, people with marijuana use disorders, particularly adolescents, often suffer from other psychiatric disorders and may also use or be addicted to other substances such as cocaine or alcohol. This highlights the complexity of treating marijuana addiction, as it often co-occurs with other mental health and substance use disorders.

Impact of THC Concentration

THC is the main psychoactive component in marijuana, responsible for the "high" that users experience. Over recent years, the average delta-9 THC concentration in cannabis has almost doubled from 9% in 2008 to 17% in 2017, according to CDC. This indicates a significant increase in potency over the past decade, resulting in stronger and potentially more harmful effects.

A study of products from online dispensaries in 3 states with legal non-medical adult marijuana use showed an average THC concentration of 22%, with concentrations ranging from 0% to 45%. This highlights the availability of high-potency products in the market.

Some people with marijuana use disorder may develop tolerance over time, needing to use more marijuana or higher concentrations to achieve a "high", potentially escalating the risks associated with its use. This is further exacerbated by certain methods of consuming marijuana, such as dabbing and vaping concentrates, which can deliver very high levels of THC to the user.

The long-term consequences of exposure to high concentrations of THC, and the impact of recent increases in THC potency on the development of marijuana use disorder, are areas that researchers are still exploring, indicating ongoing uncertainties surrounding the risks associated with high-potency marijuana use.

Statistics on Marijuana Use

Diving into the numbers, let's delve into the prevalence of marijuana use and the demographic trends that are evident in cannabis consumption.

Prevalence of Marijuana Use

In 2020, nearly 18% of Americans aged 12 or older, approximately 49.6 million people, reported using marijuana within the previous year. Among this group, over 5% (approximately 14.2 million people) grappled with a cannabis use disorder, a diagnostic term for cannabis addiction. There's an alarming estimation that individuals who begin using marijuana before the age of 18 may be 4–7 times more likely than adults to develop a marijuana use disorder [1].

Demographic Trends in Cannabis Use

A survey study conducted from 2016 to 2019 uncovered that young, male, Black, and Native American individuals, and those with low educational attainment and income, were more likely to engage in higher frequency cannabis use [2].

Moreover, the prevalence of cannabis use varied significantly by age, gender, race, marital status, education, employment, and income. Infrequent (1-5 days), frequent (6-29 days), and daily cannabis use was more prevalent among the youngest age group (18-34 years old) compared to the oldest age group (≥65 years). Men were more likely to use cannabis at higher frequencies than women. Black and Native American individuals used cannabis at higher frequency, while Asian and Hispanic individuals used cannabis with less frequency [2].

Higher-frequency cannabis use was associated with younger age, male gender, Black and Native American race, and lower educational attainment. Being married or identifying as Asian or Hispanic was associated with lower-frequency cannabis use. Additionally, higher-frequency cannabis use was more common among individuals in younger age groups and those with lower socioeconomic status.

These marijuana addiction statistics and facts offer a stark insight into the prevalence of marijuana use and the demographic trends associated with it. They underline the need for targeted awareness and intervention programs to mitigate the risks and consequences of marijuana use disorder.

Risks and Consequences

The use of marijuana, particularly in high-potency forms, has potential risks and consequences that users should be aware of. These include the development of tolerance and the potential for adverse physical and mental health effects.

Tolerance and High-Potency Products

The average delta-9 THC concentration in cannabis has almost doubled from 9% in 2008 to 17% in 2017, indicating a significant increase in potency over the past decade. Furthermore, a study of products from online dispensaries in three states with legal non-medical adult marijuana use showed that the average THC concentration was 22%, with concentrations ranging from 0% to 45%. This highlights the availability of high-potency products in the market.

Some people with marijuana use disorder may develop tolerance over time, needing to use more marijuana or higher concentrations to achieve a "high", potentially escalating the risks associated with its use [3].

Furthermore, there is evidence that certain methods of consuming marijuana, such as dabbing and vaping concentrates, can deliver very high levels of THC to the user, raising concerns about the potential for addiction and adverse health effects [3].

The long-term consequences of exposure to high concentrations of THC, and the impact of recent increases in THC potency on the development of marijuana use disorder, are areas that researchers are still exploring. This indicates ongoing uncertainties surrounding the risks associated with high-potency marijuana use [3].

Physical and Mental Health Effects

In addition to the risk of developing a tolerance, the use of high-potency marijuana products can have a range of physical and mental health effects. These can include respiratory issues, heart problems, and mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.

While some individuals may use marijuana for medicinal purposes, it's important to note that the potential risks associated with high-potency products can outweigh the potential benefits. The best course of action is to seek advice from a healthcare professional before using high-potency marijuana products.

In conclusion, while marijuana use is becoming more widespread, it's crucial to understand the risks and potential consequences, particularly with regard to high-potency products. These marijuana addiction statistics & facts highlight the importance of education and awareness to ensure safe and responsible use.

Treatment and Support

Effective treatment and support for those dealing with marijuana use disorder play an essential role in recovery. This section will discuss various approaches to treatment and highlight some available resources and services.

Approaches to Treating Marijuana Use Disorder

While there is no FDA-approved medication for treating marijuana use disorder, research is active in this area. Treatment often focuses on addressing polysubstance use and co-occurring mental health disorders [1]. Behavioral therapies tailored to the individual's specific needs also prove beneficial.

Studies are examining the effectiveness of medications that aid in sleep to address the sleep problems prominent in marijuana withdrawal [4]. Medications showing promise in early studies or small clinical trials include:

• Zolpidem (Ambien®): a sleep aid
• Buspirone (BuSpar®): an anti-anxiety/anti-stress medication
• Gabapentin (Horizant®, Neurontin®): an anti-epileptic drug that may improve sleep and executive function

In addition, substances called allosteric modulators, which interact with cannabinoid receptors to inhibit THC’s rewarding effects, are being studied for future treatment solutions [4].

Available Resources and Services

Timely intervention and support can help individuals dealing with marijuana addiction. For people in Canada, there are various services available nationwide for overdose prevention and tobacco cessation, accessible at any time.

Specific resources for marijuana addiction include:

• National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program: Offers culturally sensitive resources for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
• National Youth Solvent Abuse Program: Provides resources for young individuals struggling with substance abuse.

Additionally, the Canadian Mental Health Association's Naloxone 101 Toolkit provides information on the use of naloxone kits, including where to obtain them for free, beneficial for individuals dealing with marijuana addiction and potential overdoses.

Finally, support is available for those dealing with mental health issues in conjunction with substance use. For Canadians living with chronic pain and considering substance use for pain management, specific resources provide information on this topic.

These resources and services are crucial in assisting individuals on their journey to recovery, highlighting the importance of accessible support systems in tackling marijuana use disorders.

Global Perspective on Cannabis Use Disorder

When considering marijuana addiction statistics & facts, it is crucial to examine the global incidence and prevalence of Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD), as well as the regional variances in CUD.

Global Incidence and Prevalence

Globally, the number of incidence cases of CUD increased by 32.3% from 1990 to 2019, with males nearly double that of females. The global Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) of CUD in 2019 summed up to 0.69 million, indicating an increase of 38.6% from 1990. Young people aged 20–24 years old with CUD had the highest DALYs in 2019, followed by those younger than 20 years old.

Regional Variances in Cannabis Use Disorder

The incidence, prevalence, and DALYs of CUD vary significantly by region. According to a study by the NCBI, India had the highest incidence, prevalence, and DALYs of CUD from 1990 to 2019. The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) of DALYs in India was 116.8%, indicating a significant increase in the burden of CUD in the country.

Furthermore, the highest age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) and age-standardized prevalence rates (ASPR) of CUD in 2019 were observed in Canada and the USA, respectively. High-income North America had the highest ASIR, ASPR, and age-standardized rate of DALYs (ASDR) among all regions analyzed.

The incidence cases and DALYs of CUD increased significantly in low-middle and low socio-demographic index (SDI) quintile areas, while high, high-middle, and middle SDI quintile areas showed stable trends over the past three decades. The Middle SDI and low-middle SDI-quintile areas had higher incidence cases than the high SDI-quintile region in 2019.

On the other hand, Australasia, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and High-income Asia Pacific demonstrated a decrease in the number of incidence cases, prevalence cases, and DALYs of CUD from 1990 to 2019. These regions had negative estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) values for age-standardized rates of DALYs (ASDR).

These stark regional differences highlight the need for tailored approaches to address CUD in different regions, considering their unique socio-cultural contexts and available resources.