Marijuana Use Among Teens at Highest Level in 30 Years

By Dennis Romero Mon., Dec. 19 2011 at 8:06 AM

Legalizing medical marijuana might be good for grannies with glaucoma, but there's been, at the least, a correlation between the rise of legit weed and teen toking.

The latest Monitoring the Future survey of teen drug use in America finds that "daily marijuana use is now at a 30-year peak level among high school seniors."

Whew. That's Fast Times at Ridgemont High levels, given that the all-time peak of pot use was said to be in 1979, around the time Cameron Crowe was hanging out at a San Diego high school to research the basis of the film.

According to the annual survey, conducted by the University of Michigan, pot use among high schoolers was up for the fourth straight year.

More than one in 10 teens had tried synthetic marijuana last year.

Strangely, according to a Monitoring the Future statement (PDF), drinking " ... continued a long-term gradual decline among teens, reaching historically low levels in 2011."

According to survey data teen pot use hit a low around 1992 and dipped again around 2006 but has seen a gradual rise in recent years, the same period that medical marijuana has been legalized in about 16 states nationwide.

More than one-third of 12th graders (36.4 percent) (PDF) said they toked up in the last year.

Lloyd Johnston, principal investigator:

... One in every fifteen high school seniors today is smoking pot on a daily or near daily basis. And that's the highest rate that we have seen over the past thirty years--since 1981.

We're just waiting for the return of the hair metal.

[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

Tags:

marijuana, medical marijuana, Monitoring the Future, pot use, teens, University of Michigan

We Recommend

SuzanneGat

@Lawe Marijuanna use among...Can you believe this, my friend's mom makes $85/hr on the internet. She has been fired for 6 months but last month her paycheck was $8643 just working on the internet for a few hours. Read more on this site... http://linkpot.net/dumpy/

Mikoe Wozz

Another restaurant cliaimed to use fresh mozz arella cheese,where it'sdishes were actually made with economy cheddar.the "freshpasta"advertieshed on another meau tumed out to be frozen.--Agedate. ℃⊙M--anice and free place for younger women and older men,or older women and youngermen,to interact with each other

Kristiana Clark

Whether this particular study proves it or not, legalizing pot for medical reasons only is a crock. Everyone knows that it makes it more available to everyone. Marijuana use has greatly increased in states that have made it "legal". It infuriates me when people say that pot doesn't hurt anyone. I have several people close to me whom it has affected poorly. As well as effecting those close to them. Just because smoking pot is less harmful than drinking doesn't make it okay.

hdmi

Know what is also at a record LOW level among teens? Drunk driving.

Zack

It is a person'als place where you can meet success'ful rich men, classy mature women, rich

women looking for marriage, or just meet beautiful friends and singles. Good luck! :)------S.u.c.c.e.s.s.f.u.l.m.i.n.g.l.e . ℃ ⊙ M--

Sloan Aaron

i'm glad one study in Michigan is enough propaganda to make this legit...

David Frankk

Guess its time they made it legal !

Latest Technology Blog

Egadsno

Many studies have shown that use of marijuana lowers incidence of abusing tobacco, alcohol, amphetamines and many other drugs. Which is great when you factor that even long term (half century) of heavy marijuana is smoking is not even well associated- let alone proven to directly cause lung cancer, emphysema or even copd.

Maybe if we did not force them to buy it from criminals and encouraged them to use it safely we would have far less problems then we currently do.

hppyhippi

Teenage pot usage by the last three presidents and Senator Rick Santorum, proves conclusively that teenage pot useage results in long term mental health effects, such as hypocrisy. So if you do not want to ruin your life by becoming a politician, stay off the weed.

ZongHoo

Oh so what is the big deal? A little pot never hurt anyone onw did it? Seriously.www.Total-Privacy dot US

ZongHoo

So whats the big deal? A little pot never hurt anyone now did it?total-anon.tk

Open2Debate

We are witnessing the death throes of prohibition while its advocates make a desperate and frantic last stand, their final frenzy. The Emperor wears no clothes my brothers and sisters. Shout it out loud, there is no reason to be afraid anymore.

Rhenej

As a parent of a child who, happily, does not seem to be on track to be either one of the third of young people to be arrested or to be engaged in substance abuse, I find it positive that marijuana is supplanting alcohol as the mind altering substance of youth. Alcohol is vastly more dangerous. One always hopes that no one, young or old, abuses mind altering chemicals. Animals (humans included) seem to seek out and enjoy mind altering experiences. The least damaging to themselves or others would be preferable.

Alde1026

Don't get the information twisted. Change to title of article and some of the words within. The study reveals that SYNTHETIC marijuana use is high. Natural marijuana and synthetic are not nearly the same no matter if you look at it from a health standpoint or legal. Media sources like this make me sick and You are the reason why natural and medical marijuana is branded with a negative atmosphere.

Stop promoting misleading information.

Ivy Miller

I am a 26-years-old servicewoman(working in Air Force), cute and charming but still single. I am seeking one who can give me real love, so Ijoined in the online service --Kissinguniform.c0m--. It's a 10-year-old clubfor uniformed personnel finding their intimate lovers. Well, being in militaryservice does not mean to be lonely; you can meet the Mr. or Miss Right there.

p.s. The admirers of thoseuniformed person are also warmly welcome,there are lots of servicemen and women there.