Marijuana Problems In Adolescents Drop Despite Legalization

Marijuana-related problems have lessened, based on the numbers indicated in the survey of over 2016,000 adolescents from 50 states. In a similar way, the percentage of marijuana use by young people is dropping even with the legalization or decriminalizing of its use and the increased number of adult users.

The data on marijuana or canabis use gathered from young people with ages 12 to 17 for more than 17 years were examined by the researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Based on the numbers, they discovered that the amount of adolescents who had marijuana-related problems like having issues in relationships and schools or becoming drug dependent have reduced by 24 percent beginning 2002 to 2013. On the other hand, the kids were asked if they used pot in the past 12 months, and the response recorded fewer incidence of marijuana use in 2013 compared to what their peers reported in 2002. The rate dropped at 10 percent overall, Wall Street reported.

These declines went with the drops in behavioral problems such as property crimes, selling drugs and behavioral problems - both trends are linked based on the findings. According to study author and associate professor of Psychiatry Richard A. Grucza, these behavioral problems are often the signs of childhood psychiatric illnesses.

In 2002, more than 16 percent of the 12 to 17 ages who reported using marijuana during the previous year.  The number dropped to below 14 percent in 2013, while the rate of young people with marijuana-use illnesses fell from 4 percent to 3 percent. In addition, the number of kids who reported serious behavior problems like shoplifting, selling drugs or getting into fights also dropped over the 12-year span.

Grucza said that other studies reveal that psychiatric disorders in early childhood are strong predictors of marijuana use eventually. This means that if the disruptive behaviors are determined earlier in life, therapies will be provided to help prevent marijuana problems, and the likelihood of alcohol and other drug issues as well, according to Washington Post.

The new study on marijuana is published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.