60 Marijuana Addiction Statistics, Facts & Demographics

10 Key Marijuana Addiction Statistics

• In 2020, 5.9 million people aged 12 or older had a marijuana use disorder in the past year.
• The majority of marijuana users in the United States are aged 18 to 25.
• In 2019, 43.5 million Americans used marijuana.
• In 2019, 11.8 million people used marijuana daily or almost daily.
• 1 in 4 people who use marijuana become addicted to it.
• 9% of marijuana users become addicted to it.
• Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States.
• In 2018, 12% of weekend nighttime drivers tested positive for marijuana.
• In a survey of high school seniors, 12% reported driving after using marijuana within the past two weeks.
• In 2019, 11% of 8th graders, 28% of 10th graders, and 35% of 12th graders used marijuana in the past year.

How Popular Is Marijuana?

• Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States.
• In 2019, 43.5 million Americans used marijuana.
• According to a survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), about 15% of adults in the United States reported using marijuana in 2019.
• Among young adults aged 18 to 25, nearly one in three reported using marijuana in the past year.
• In states where marijuana is legalized for medical or recreational use, usage rates are even higher. For example, in Colorado, where recreational use was legalized in 2014, over 20% of adults reported using marijuana in the past month according to a survey conducted by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Prevalence of Marijuana Addiction

• Approximately 9% of marijuana users become addicted to it.
• Among those who start using marijuana in their teens, the number of people who become addicted increases to about 17% or 1 in 6.
• The risk of addiction is higher for those who use marijuana daily, with about 25-50% becoming addicted.
• In addition to addiction, long-term marijuana use can lead to negative effects on mental health, such as anxiety and depression.
• It is estimated that around 30% of individuals who use marijuana may have some degree of marijuana use disorder.

Marijuana Addiction Statistics & Facts by Gender

• Men are more likely to use marijuana than women, with 11.8% of males and 7.3% of females reporting past-month use in a 2019 survey.
• However, women may be more susceptible to addiction, with studies showing that they may develop marijuana dependence more quickly than men.
• In terms of treatment admissions for marijuana use disorder, men make up the majority at around 70%, while women account for about 30%.
• Among pregnant women, marijuana use has been on the rise, with a study finding that in 2017, 5% reported using marijuana during pregnancy compared to just 2.4% in 2009. This can have negative effects on both the mother and fetus, including low birth weight and developmental problems.

How Many People Have Tried Using Marijuana?

• According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2019, 48% of Americans aged 12 or older reported that they have tried marijuana at least once in their lifetime.
• Among high school seniors, the Monitoring the Future survey found that over 60% have tried marijuana by the time they graduate.
• In terms of age groups, young adults aged 18 to 25 are the most likely to have tried marijuana, with around 74% reporting past use according to a survey conducted by SAMHSA in 2019.
• Usage rates also vary by race and ethnicity. In 2019, about 52% of white Americans reported trying marijuana compared to around 37% of Black Americans and 34% of Hispanic Americans.
• Among adults aged 26 or older with an annual household income of $75,000 or more, around one-third reported past-year use compared to just over one-fifth of those with an annual household income under $20,000.

Marijuana Addiction Statistics & Facts by Ethnicity

• In 2019, about 52% of white Americans reported trying marijuana compared to around 37% of Black Americans and 34% of Hispanic Americans.
• Among adults aged 18 or older with a past-year marijuana use disorder, around 60% were white, while around 20% were Black and 14% were Hispanic.
• In terms of treatment admissions for marijuana use disorder, the majority of individuals seeking treatment are white at around 57%, followed by Black individuals at around 23%, and Hispanic individuals at around 13%.
• Studies have also shown that Black individuals are more likely to be arrested for marijuana-related offenses despite similar usage rates between races. For example, in New York City in 2020, over 94% of those arrested for marijuana offenses were people of color.

Marijuana Addiction By Age

• Among those aged 12 to 17 who use marijuana, about 1 in 6 develop a marijuana use disorder.
• Among young adults aged 18 to 25 who use marijuana, the number of people who become addicted increases to about 1 in 4.
• Adults over the age of 26 are less likely to become addicted to marijuana, with only about 1 in 10 developing a marijuana use disorder.

Marijuana Addiction and Overdose Statistics

• A study found that 30% of marijuana users develop a marijuana use disorder.
• According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, people who start using marijuana before the age of 18 are four to seven times more likely to develop a marijuana use disorder than adults.
• In 2018, about 4.2 million people aged 12 or older had a marijuana use disorder in the past year.
• The rate of emergency department visits involving marijuana increased by 54% from 2011 to 2016.
• In Colorado, hospitalizations related to marijuana increased by 66% after legalization for recreational use in 2012.
• A study found that people who used high-potency marijuana were more likely to experience psychosis than those who used low-potency marijuana or none at all.
• In states where medical marijuana is legal, there has been a decrease in opioid overdose deaths by as much as 25%.

Marijuana Use Among Youth

• According to the Monitoring the Future study, in 2020, 6.4% of 8th graders, 16.1% of 10th graders, and 22.5% of 12th graders reported using marijuana in the past month.
• The same study found that among high school seniors, daily marijuana use has increased from 5.8% in 2009 to 11.6% in 2020.
• In a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it was found that in 2019, about one in four high school students had used marijuana at least once in their lifetime.
• The CDC survey also revealed that about one in seven high school students were current users of marijuana (used within the past month).
• Studies have shown that early initiation of marijuana use (before age 14) is associated with an increased risk of developing a substance use disorder later on in life.
• A report by SAMHSA showed that in 2018, over half a million adolescents aged between 12-17 years old had a marijuana use disorder in the past year.

Marijuana and Pregnancy Statistics

• In 2017, a study found that approximately 16% of pregnant women aged 18 to 44 reported using marijuana in the past month.
• A separate study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that in California, the number of pregnant women using marijuana nearly doubled from 2009 to 2016.
• The same study also found that among pregnant teens aged 12 to 17, marijuana use increased from around 10% in 2009 to over 19% in 2016.
• Marijuana use during pregnancy can have negative effects on fetal development, including low birth weight and problems with attention, memory, and learning later on in life.
• Studies have shown that prenatal marijuana exposure can also affect brain development and lead to behavioral problems in children.

Marijuana Legalization Statistics

• In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize recreational marijuana use for adults over 21.
• The legal marijuana industry is projected to reach $73.6 billion in sales by 2027.
• A study found that legalizing marijuana in Colorado generated $247 million in tax revenue and created over 18,000 jobs in the state.
• According to a Pew Research Center survey, 91% of Americans support the legalization of medical or recreational marijuana use.
• In states where recreational marijuana is legal, there has been a decrease in arrests related to marijuana possession and sales by as much as 98%.
• Marijuana Addiction Per Country
• In Canada, it is estimated that around 10% of individuals who use marijuana may have some degree of marijuana use disorder.
• In Australia, the rate of cannabis dependence or abuse among people aged 14 and older was 6.9% in 2019.
• In the United Kingdom, about 1 in 10 people who use marijuana develop an addiction to it.
• In New Zealand, around 7% of adults reported using marijuana in the past year, with about one-third of these individuals meeting criteria for a substance use disorder.
• In France, approximately 1.5 million people are estimated to be dependent on cannabis.
• In Spain, it is estimated that between 4% and 7% of adults have a cannabis use disorder.
• In Brazil, studies suggest that around 2.6% to 3.5% of the population has used marijuana at least once in their lifetime and that over half of those who try it will become regular users and may develop a substance use disorder.
• In Japan, where marijuana is strictly prohibited, only about 0.1% of the population reported using marijuana in their lifetime according to a survey conducted by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Marijuana Addiction and Employment Statistics

• In a survey of marijuana users, 56% reported using marijuana before work or during lunch breaks.
• A study found that employees who use marijuana are more likely to have increased absenteeism, tardiness, and decreased productivity.
• According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in 2019, 12% of adults aged 18-25 who were employed full-time reported using marijuana before or during work.
• Another study found that employees who tested positive for marijuana had a 55% higher rate of industrial accidents compared to those who tested negative.
• In states where medical marijuana is legal, employers are still allowed to drug test their employees and can terminate them if they test positive for marijuana use.

Marijuana-related Crime Statistics

• In 2019, marijuana-related arrests accounted for 35% of all drug arrests in the United States.
• According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, there were over 545,000 marijuana-related arrests in the United States in 2019.
• Among those arrested for marijuana offenses in 2019, 92% were arrested for possession only.
• In states where marijuana is legal for medical or recreational use, there has been a decrease in marijuana-related arrests by as much as 98%.

Marijuana Overdose Statistics & Facts

• The amount of THC (the psychoactive component in marijuana) in products has been increasing over the years. In 1995, the average THC content in seized samples was around 4%, while in 2014 it had increased to almost 12%.
• In states where medical or recreational use of marijuana is legal, there has been an increase in emergency room visits related to marijuana use. For example, in Colorado, hospitalizations related to marijuana increased by 35% from 2013 to 2017.
• A study found that edibles (marijuana-infused food products) accounted for a significant proportion of emergency department visits related to marijuana use. In Colorado, edibles accounted for around 10% of all marijuana-related emergency department visits from 2014 to 2016.

FAQs

What is marijuana addiction?

Marijuana addiction, also known as cannabis use disorder, occurs when an individual's marijuana use becomes compulsive and interferes with their daily life. It is characterized by symptoms such as difficulty controlling use, withdrawal symptoms when not using, and continued use despite negative consequences.

Is marijuana addictive?

Yes, marijuana can be addictive. While not everyone who uses marijuana becomes addicted to it, research suggests that approximately 1 in 10 users will develop a marijuana use disorder. The risk of addiction is higher for those who start using marijuana at a young age or use it frequently.

What are the risks of long-term marijuana use?

Long-term marijuana use has been linked to various negative effects on mental health, such as increased risk of anxiety and depression. It can also lead to respiratory problems, decreased cognitive function, and impaired memory. In addition, regular use can lead to addiction and potential withdrawal symptoms when attempting to quit.

Can you die from a marijuana overdose?

No, it is extremely rare to die from a marijuana overdose. Unlike opioids or other drugs that depress the central nervous system and can cause respiratory failure, there have been no reported cases of fatal overdoses from THC (the psychoactive compound in marijuana) alone. However, excessive consumption of edible products containing THC can cause unpleasant side effects such as nausea and paranoia.

How can I get help for a marijuana addiction?

There are various treatment options available for individuals struggling with a marijuana addiction. These include behavioral therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing (MI), as well as support groups like Marijuana Anonymous. It is important to seek professional help if you are experiencing negative consequences due to your drug use or find yourself unable to quit on your own.

How to Recognize the Signs and Symptoms of Marijuana Addiction?

Marijuana addiction, also known as cannabis use disorder, can be difficult to recognize in oneself or others. However, there are several signs and symptoms that may indicate a problem with marijuana use. These include:

• Using marijuana more frequently than intended
• Being unable to cut down or quit using marijuana
• Spending a significant amount of time obtaining, using, or recovering from the effects of marijuana
• Experiencing cravings or urges to use marijuana
• Continuing to use marijuana despite negative consequences such as legal problems, relationship issues, or health problems
• Neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home due to marijuana use

In addition to these signs and symptoms, individuals with a marijuana use disorder may also experience withdrawal symptoms when attempting to quit using. These symptoms can include irritability, insomnia, decreased appetite, anxiety, and restlessness.

Conclusion

In conclusion, marijuana use can have many negative consequences, including addiction, mental health problems, impaired driving, and legal issues. It is important to understand the risks associated with marijuana use and seek help if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction.

Sources

• https://newfrontierdata.com/cannabis-insights/cannabis-usage-by-country/
• https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/data-statistics.htm
• https://drugabusestatistics.org/marijuana-addiction/
• https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/marijuana-addictive
• https://www.samhsa.gov/marijuana
• https://nida.nih.gov/marijuana-and-hallucinogen