Marijuana and hallucinogen use among young adults reached all time-high in 2021


Marijuana and hallucinogen use in the past year reported by young adults 19 to 30 years old increased significantly in 2021 compared to five and 10 years ago, reaching historic highs in this age group since 1988, according to the Monitoring the Future (MTF) panel study. Rates of past-month nicotine vaping, which have been gradually increasing in young adults for the past four years, also continued their general upward trend in 2021, despite leveling off in 2020. Past-month marijuana vaping, which had significantly decreased in 2020, rebounded to pre-pandemic levels in 2021.

Alcohol remains the most used substance among adults in the study, though past-year, past-month, and daily drinking have been decreasing over the past decade. Binge drinking (five or more drinks in a row in the past two weeks) rebounded in 2021 from a historic low in 2020, during the early stages of COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, high-intensity drinking (having 10 or more drinks in a row in the past two weeks) has been steadily increasing over the past decade and in 2021 reached its highest level ever recorded since first measured in 2005.

�As the drug landscape shifts over time, this data provides a window into the substances and patterns of use favored by young adults. We need to know more about how young adults are using drugs like marijuana and hallucinogens, and the health effects that result from consuming different potencies and forms of these substances,� said National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Nora Volkow, M.D. �Young adults are in a critical life stage and honing their ability to make informed choices. Understanding how substance use can impact the formative choices in young adulthood is critical to help position the new generations for success.�

Hallucinogen Use: Past-year hallucinogen use had been relatively stable over the past few decades until 2020, when reports of use started to increase dramatically. In 2021, 8% of young adults reported past-year hallucinogen use, representing an all-time high since the category was first surveyed in 1988. By comparison, in 2016, 5% of young adults reported past-year hallucinogen use, and in 2011, only 3% reported use. Types of hallucinogens reported by participants included LSD, MDMA, mescaline, peyote, �shrooms� or psilocybin, and PCP. The only hallucinogen measured that significantly decreased in use was MDMA (also called ecstasy or Molly), showing statistically significant decreases within one year as well as the past five years � from 5% in both 2016 and 2020 to 3% in 2021.

Of course, this corresponds with the ever growing �favorable' conversation around �psychedelics' as a therapeutic. The exact same �medicinal' narrative tactic used to �mainline' cannabis is being employed here too. The �logic' goes something like� �If it has medicinal properties and mainstream are winking at it, that's good enough for me � permission granted!�

The nation's drug problem is commercial recreational pharmacology


Overdose deaths, overprescribing of opioids, illicit production of fentanyl, a resurgence of methamphetamine and cocaine, and an epidemic of vaping-related illnesses and substance use disorders cover the nation's headlines today, as they have for years. These problems are manifestations of commercial recreational pharmacology, the personally controlled use of psychoactive drugs that super-stimulate brain reward for pleasure. While substance use and addiction have been known throughout history, the recent increasingly greater acceptance of commercial recreational pharmacology in the United States is exacting a toll on the public health of the nation. The most dramatic example is a decline in U.S. life expectancy, which fell three years in a row from 2016�2018 as a result of overdose deaths.

Until the late 1960s, most drug use was confined to a small handful of drugs, mostly alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, cocaine and opium derivatives. All of that changed 50 years ago. With the entry of the baby boom generation into adolescence, drug use became a central element in the societal tumult of the 1960s and 1970s. That was the first time in the world that entire populations were exposed to many drugs in a climate of tolerance, even exuberance. The result was a shift toward acceptance of recreational drug use that has ripple effects today, including enabling the opioid epidemic, fueling the push to commercialize marijuana and facilitating the dramatic uptake of nicotine vaping. For complete Journal Article (PDF)

Study of Cannabis Use Impact on Mental Health, Depression & Suicide: US 50 State Review


This paper has some of the Latest US study for 2022. (Executive Summary)

A difference-in-means test demonstrates that cannabis use is higher among all age groups in more highly permissive states, with 47 percent more monthly cannabis use among adolescents (ages 12-17) and 81 percent more monthly cannabis use among young adults (ages 18-25) in US states with fully legalized recreational cannabis programs than states where cannabis use has not been legalized. While cannabis use grew, subsequent raises in mean averages for major depressive events, severe mental illnesses, and suicidal thoughts all increased in more highly permissive US states.

The research results presented in this study demonstrate that for each one percent increase in overall monthly cannabis use, self-reported major depression increased by 0.45 percent for adolescents and 0.21 percent for young adults. For every one percent increase in overall monthly cannabis use by young adults, severe mental illnesses increased by 0.12 percent and suicidal thoughts increased by 0.11 percent. Panel regression models included control variables for gender, marital status, educational attainment, veteran status, unemployment status, race, and ethnicity.

On study of more than 8,500 cannabis products marketed online by more than 650 cannabis dispensaries in four western (CA, CO, NM, WA) and five northeastern (ME, MA, NH, RI, VT) states found the average medicinal cannabis product was advertised with a 19.2 percent THC concentration and the average recreational cannabis product was advertised with a 21.5 percent THC concentration (Cash et al., 2020). A Dutch paper showed THC levels above 15 % THC is as dangerous as cocaine

CORONAVIRUS HARMS ARE SEVERELY ELEVATED BY MARIJUANA USE AND MARIJUANA SALES

TO INCREASE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF COVID-19, WE MUST ASK PATIENTS ABOUT MARIJUANA USE BECAUSE COVID-19 HARMS ARE SEVERELY ELEVATED BY MARIJUANA USE

U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory: Marijuana Use and the Developing Brain

I, Surgeon General VADM Jerome Adams, am emphasizing the importance of protecting our Nation from the health risks of marijuana use in adolescence and during pregnancy. Recent increases in access to marijuana and in its potency, along with misperceptions of safety of marijuana endanger our most precious resource, our nation’s youth.

KNOW THE RISKS. TAKE ACTION. PROTECT OUR FUTURE.

Background

Marijuana, or cannabis, is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States. It acts by binding to cannabinoid receptors in the brain to produce a variety of effects, including euphoria, intoxication, and memory and motor impairments. These same cannabinoid receptors are also critical for brain development. They are part of the endocannabinoid system, which impacts the formation of brain circuits important for decision making, mood and responding to stress1.

Marijuana and its related products are widely available in multiple forms. These products can be eaten, drunk, smoked, and vaped2. Marijuana contains varying levels of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the component responsible for euphoria and intoxication, and cannabidiol (CBD). While CBD is not intoxicating and does not lead to addiction, its long-term effects are largely unknown, and most CBD products are untested and of uncertain purity3.

Marijuana has changed over time. The marijuana available today is much stronger than previous versions. The THC concentration in commonly cultivated marijuana plants has increased three-fold between 1995 and 2014 (4% and 12% respectively)4. Marijuana available in dispensaries in some states has average concentrations of THC between 17.7% and 23.2%5. Concentrated products, commonly known as dabs or waxes, are far more widely available to recreational users today and may contain between 23.7% and 75.9% THC6.

The risks of physical dependence, addiction, and other negative consequences increase with exposure to high concentrations of THC7 and the younger the age of initiation. Higher doses of THC are more likely to produce anxiety, agitation, paranoia, and psychosis8. Edible marijuana takes time to absorb and to produce its effects, increasing the risk of unintentional overdose, as well as accidental ingestion by children9 and adolescents10. In addition, chronic users of marijuana with a high THC content are at risk for developing a condition known as cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, which is marked by severe cycles of nausea and vomiting11.

This advisory is intended to raise awareness of the known and potential harms to developing brains, posed by the increasing availability of highly potent marijuana in multiple, concentrated forms. These harms are costly to individuals and to our society, impacting mental health and educational achievement and raising the risks of addiction and misuse of other substances.  Additionally, marijuana use remains illegal for youth under state law in all states; normalization of its use raises the potential for criminal consequences in this population. In addition to the health risks posed by marijuana use, sale or possession of marijuana remains illegal under federal law notwithstanding some state laws to the contrary.

Marijuana Use during Pregnancy

Pregnant women use marijuana more than any other illicit drug. In a national survey, marijuana use in the past month among pregnant women doubled (3.4% to 7%) between 2002 and 201712. In a study conducted in a large health system, marijuana use rose by 69% (4.2% to 7.1%) between 2009 and 2016 among pregnant women13. Alarmingly, many retail dispensaries recommend marijuana to pregnant women for morning sickness14.

Marijuana use during pregnancy can affect the developing fetus. THC can enter the fetal brain from the mother’s bloodstream and may disrupt the endocannabinoid system, which is important for a healthy pregnancy and fetal brain development1. Moreover, studies have shown that marijuana use in pregnancy is associated with adverse outcomes, including lower birth weight15. The Colorado Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System reported that maternal marijuana use was associated with a 50% increased risk of low birth weight regardless of maternal age, race, ethnicity, education, and tobacco use16.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists holds that “[w]women who are pregnant or contemplating pregnancy should be encouraged to discontinue marijuana use. Women reporting marijuana use should be counseled about concerns regarding potential adverse health consequences of continued use during pregnancy”17. In 2018, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that “…it is important to advise all adolescents and young women that if they become pregnant, marijuana should not be used during pregnancy”18.

Maternal marijuana use may still be dangerous to the baby after birth. THC has been found in breast milk for up to six days after the last recorded use. It may affect the newborn’s brain development and result in hyperactivity, poor cognitive function, and other long-term consequences19, 20, 21. Additionally, marijuana smoke contains many of the same harmful components as tobacco smoke22. No one should smoke marijuana or tobacco around a baby.

Marijuana Use during Adolescence

Marijuana is also commonly used by adolescents4, second only to alcohol. In 2017, approximately 9.2 million youth aged 12 to 25 reported marijuana use in the past month and 29% more young adults aged 18-25 started using marijuana23. In addition, high school students’ perception of the harm from regular marijuana use has been steadily declining over the last decade24. During this same period, a number of states have legalized adult use of marijuana for medicinal or recreational purposes, while it remains illegal under federal law. The legalization movement may be impacting youth perception of harm from marijuana. 

The human brain continues to develop from before birth into the mid-20s and is vulnerable to the effects of addictive substances25, 26. Frequent marijuana use during adolescence is associated with changes in the areas of the brain involved in attention, memory, decision-making, and motivation. Deficits in attention and memory have been detected in marijuana-using teens even after a month of abstinence27. Marijuana can also impair learning in adolescents. Chronic use is linked to declines in IQ, school performance that jeopardizes professional and social achievements, and life satisfaction28. Regular use of marijuana in adolescence is linked to increased rates of school absence and drop-out, as well as suicide attempts29.

Marijuana use is also linked to risk for and early onset of psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia. The risk for psychotic disorders increases with frequency of use, potency of the marijuana product, and as the age at first use decreases30.  Adolescent marijuana use is often also associated with other substance use31, 32. In 2017, teens 12-17 reporting frequent use of marijuana showed a 130% greater likelihood of misusing opioids23. Marijuana’s increasingly widespread availability in multiple and highly potent forms, coupled with a false and dangerous perception of safety among youth, merits a nationwide call to action. 

You Can Take Action

No amount of marijuana use during pregnancy or adolescence is known to be safe. Until and unless more is known about the long-term impact, the safest choice for pregnant women and adolescents is not to use marijuana.  Pregnant women and youth--and those who love them--need the facts and resources to support healthy decisions. It is critical to educate women and youth, as well as family members, school officials, state and local leaders, and health professionals, about the risks of marijuana, particularly as more states contemplate legalization.

Science-based messaging campaigns and targeted prevention programming are urgently needed to ensure that risks are clearly communicated and amplified by local, state, and national organizations. Clinicians can help by asking about marijuana use, informing mothers-to-be, new mothers, young people, and those vulnerable to psychotic disorders, of the risks. Clinicians can also prescribe safe, effective, and FDA-approved treatments for nausea, depression, and pain during pregnancy. Further research is needed to understand all the impacts of THC on the developing brain, but we know enough now to warrant concern and action. Everyone has a role in protecting our young people from the risks of marijuana.

Information for Parents and Parents-to-be

You have an important role to play for a healthy next generation.

• Review the facts to understand the risks associated with marijuana use during pregnancy.
• Check out these Frequently Asked Questions  about marijuana use and pregnancy.
• Learn about marijuana safety for children and pregnant and breastfeeding women.
• Start a conversation with your kids: Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to Know.
• Keep your adolescent from using marijuana and other drugs: Keeping Youth Drug Free - PDF.
• Watch the Message to Parents from NIH/NIDA 

Information for Youth:

You have an important role to play for a healthy next generation.

• Want to know how marijuana affects brain development? Get the facts. 
• Learn key techniques on how to resist peer pressure: Above the Influence .
• Learn how to help friends stop using marijuana with Letter to Teens
• Get around-the-clock free advice and referrals: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Information for States, Communities, Tribes, and Territories:

You have an important role to play for a healthy next generation.

• Learn how communities and schools can act: Preventing Marijuana Use among Youth & Young Adults.
• Find key messages for communities at www.samhsa.gov/marijuana. 
• Get training and educational resources for your community: Prevention Technology Transfer Centers.

Information for Health Professionals:

You have an important role to play for a healthy next generation.

• Learn how you can integrate marijuana education into prenatal care visits: Marijuana Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Guidance - PDF.
• Get advice on talking with adolescents and parents about marijuana use from the American Academy of Pediatrics guidance for clinicians .
• Read the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists position on Marijuana use during pregnancy and lactation .

Marijuana’s Ecological Impact

The staggering cost to environment (and on energy and water consumption) by Cannabis production (driven by demand just to get high??) is never raised by pro-weed lobby!

No true environmentalist would promote pot! Cannabis the Climate Catastrophe??

A Powerful New Resource from NFIA

What Would Legalizing Cost Executive Summary

What Would Legalizing Marijuana Cultivation Cost

RMHIDTA Impact Report September 2018

Cultivating Disaster:

The Effect of Cannabis Cultivation on the Environment of Calaveras County