Concern About Youth Drug Abuse Is ‘Bogus,’ According To Cannabis Supporters; Marijuana Use And Abuse Rates Among US Teens Are Actually Declining

Despite the fact that several states in the country had legalized medical marijuana and decriminalized the drug from 2002 to 2013, a new study has found that the marijuana use and abuse rates among U.S. teens have declined. These latest findings prompted cannabis supporters to lambast anti-marijuana legalization groups, calling their concern about youth drug abuse "bogus."

Marijuana Use And Abuse Rates Among US Teens Are Dropping

A 12-year study by the researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis discovered that the number of U.S. teens with marijuana-related disorders plummeted by 20 percent between 2002 and 2013. On the same period of time, the marijuana use of U.S. teens has also declined by 10 percent.

The study, which was published in the June issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, has confidentially surveyed 216,852 teens from all 50 states across the U.S. Aside from the decline in marijuana use and abuse rates, the researchers also found that the number of U.S. teens who were engaged in property crimes, fighting and selling drugs has dropped during the 12-year period.

Marijuana Use And Abuse Rates Decline Amidst Medical Marijuana Legalization

Between 2002 and 2013, there were 13 states in the U.S. that legalized medical marijuana, while there were 10 states that loosened up their laws against cannabis use. Richard A. Grucza, the study's first author, said that he was surprised with the substantial declines in marijuana use and abuse among U.S teens.

"We don't know how legalization is affecting young marijuana users, but it could be that many kids with behavioral problems are more likely to get treatment earlier in childhood, making them less likely to turn to pot during adolescence,"  Grucza told EurekAlert. "But whatever is happening with these behavioral issues, it seems to be outweighing any effects of marijuana decriminalization."

The Decline In Marijuana Use And Abuse Strengthens Cannabis Supporters' Arguments

The recent decline in marijuana use and abuse rates among U.S. teens triggered cannabis supporters to lambast one of anti-marijuana legalization groups' central arguments. Dale Gieringer, California chapter director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, told The Guardian that the recent findings are an implication that the anti-marijuana legalization groups' concern about youth drug abuse is "bogus."

Gieringer said that the recent decline in marijuana use and abuse rates contradicted the claims of anti-marijuana legalization groups that normalizing cannabis will have serious negative effects on U.S. teens. "I've been dealing with this issue for 30 years. The fears of opponents never materialize," Gieringer affirmed.

What can you say about the recent decline in marijuana use and abuse among U.S. teens? Share your thoughts below.