As Marijuana Use Increases, So Does Addiction, Report

According to the Oregonian, a new study published in JAMA Psychiatry, has found that marijuana use has more than doubled since 2001, with nearly 10 percent of adults across the country reporting marijuana use in 2013.

The percentage of people reporting dependence or abuse of marijuana also doubled, from 1.5 percent in 2001 to nearly 3 percent in 2013. Among marijuana users, the report found that 3 out of every 10 people, or nearly 7 million Americans, have a marijuana abuse or addiction problem.

The biggest increases in marijuana abuse and dependence was found among middle aged or older adults, women, African-Americans, Hispanics and people living in the southern U.S.

“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 report stated.

The new report also noted that many people who use marijuana do not become addicted, but with a 30 percent chance of abuse or dependence, the number of people struggling from addiction to marijuana is likely to keep increasing as the number of marijuana users also increases, the report said.