Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Facts
www.drugpolicy.org i
We are the Drug Policy
Alliance and we envision
a just society in which the
use and regulation of drugs
are grounded in science,
compassion, health and
human rights, in which
people are no longer punished
for what they put into their
own bodies but only for
crimes committed against
others, and in which the
fears, prejudices and punitive
prohibitions of today are
no more.
ii Marijuana Facts
Marijuana
Facts
2 Marijuana Facts
The Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) supports
information and polices related to
marijuana that are grounded in science,
compassion, health and human rights.
Safety is our top priority, especially when
it comes to young people.
www.drugpolicy.org 3
A brief history
of marijuana
The use of marijuana for both had reached Europe; and German
medicinal and recreational purposes records indicate it was used for
is not new. Indeed, the use of toothaches and for relieving pain
marijuana has been documented during childbirth.
as far back as 12,000 years ago,
making it one of the earliest Marijuana was widely used in the U.S.
cultivated crops. for centuries, where it was considered
a useful drug for the treatment of
The first record of its medicinal numerous afflictions, and remained
use dates back to 4,000 B.C. in part of the U.S. Pharmacopoeia until
China, where the plant originated 1941. Marijuana was criminalized in
and was used as an anesthetic the early 20th century, not because of
during surgery. Records from 1,000
B.C. in India praise it for reducing
anxiety. By medieval times, the plant
4 Marijuana Facts
2010 2012 2013 2016
Marijuana Colorado and Uruguay California,
legalization Washington becomes the Massachusetts,
becomes a become the first first nation to Maine and
mainstream U.S. states – and legally regulate Nevada pass
political issue the first political marijuana. ballot initiatives to
as a California jurisdictions legalize marijuana.
ballot initiative, anywhere in 2014
Proposition 19, the world – to
pulls off a legally regulate Oregon, Alaska,
near-victory. marijuana. and Washington,
D.C. pass ballot
initiatives to
legalize marijuana.
www.drugpolicy.org 5
Is it true that marijuana has
medicinal properties?
6 Marijuana Facts
How strong is today’s
marijuana?
www.drugpolicy.org 7
Is marijuana a
gateway drug?
8 Marijuana Facts
Are more people
becoming dependent
on marijuana?
In a word: no. Fewer than 10 percent prior to admission. When given the
of those who try marijuana ever end choice between treatment and jail,
up meeting the clinical criteria for however, most people will choose
dependence, whereas 32 percent treatment regardless of whether
of tobacco users and 15 percent of they’re struggling with addiction.
alcohol users do.
In addition, the removal of criminal
Some people argue that rates barriers and creation of legitimate
of marijuana dependence are markets for obtaining marijuana
increasing because marijuana has destigmatized marijuana use.
treatment admissions are increasing. Thus, people who use marijuana are
However, the primary reason we’re more likely to seek substance abuse
seeing an increase in admissions is treatment, with less concern about
because the criminal justice system the social and criminal consequences
is referring more people to treatment of outing themselves.
instead of jail or prison, as a result of
policies implemented over the past Even though marijuana is becoming
two decades to stem the skyrocketing more acceptable, there is no
U.S. prison population. evidence of an increase in levels
of marijuana dependence in the
That’s why just 45 percent of people general population.
who enter marijuana treatment meet
the official criteria for marijuana
dependence. More than a third hadn’t
even used marijuana in the 30 days
www.drugpolicy.org 9
10 Marijuana Facts
Does marijuana
impair driving the way
alcohol does?
Yes and no. Marijuana can affect appear to develop a tolerance to
perception and psychomotor marijuana’s impairing effects.
performance, changes that could
impair driving ability. But in driving Unfortunately, as a result of
studies, marijuana produces little marijuana’s criminalization, harm
or no car-handling impairment – prevention measures that exist for
consistently less than produced alcohol consumption – such as safe
by moderate doses of alcohol use guidelines, formal intoxication
and many legal medications. levels, designated driver education,
and easily accessible information
Mixing marijuana and alcohol about how alcohol impacts physical
together amplifies potential risks. and mental functioning – are not
Surveys of fatally injured drivers show widely available for marijuana use.
that when THC is detected in the In states where marijuana is legally
blood, alcohol is often detected as controlled and regulated, public
well. That said, it is never a good education about using marijuana
idea to get behind the wheel safely, including not driving under
when intoxicated, even if just from the influence, is becoming more
marijuana alone. readily available.
www.drugpolicy.org 11
Does using marijuana
have long-term effects
on the brain?
Whether you’ve tried it yourself, or A 2014 study of 2,600 young people
have been with someone under the found that when taking into account
influence of marijuana, you know socio-economic factors such as
that “getting high” can change how environment, poverty, poor nutrition,
a person thinks and behaves. Some parenting style, mental health, and
short-term effects may include alcohol use, the association between
immediate changes in thoughts, moderate marijuana use and IQ
perceptions and information largely disappears. Still, it is strongly
processing. The cognitive process recommended that teens not use
most clearly affected by marijuana is marijuana, as their brains are still
short-term memory, but this usually developing, and in particular the part
disappears as soon as the person is of the brain that controls emotional
no longer intoxicated. development can be sensitive.
So, what about long-term effects? For both adolescents and adults,
Evidence does not support the notion it’s important to understand the
that even heavy, long-term marijuana difference between use and misuse.
use by adults permanently impairs “Drug use” includes all problematic
memory or other cognitive functions. and non-problematic drug use.
“Misuse” can include both addictive
Some studies have shown that heavy use, and non-addictive problematic
marijuana use starting in the early use (ie., driving while impaired).
teens has an impact on the brain,
while other studies have shown no
impact. What is clear is that much
more research is needed.
12 Marijuana Facts
Does marijuana negatively
impact mental health?
www.drugpolicy.org 13
Is there a relationship
between marijuana and
cancer?
14 Marijuana Facts
What happens when
you eat something made
with marijuana?
Marijuana-infused products, often individual metabolism, size and
referred to as “edibles,” include overall health. Also it’s important to
any food, drink or tincture that is remember that a marijuana edible
consumed orally. For some people, can take up to an hour to have an
especially medical patients, these effect, so it’s important to wait at least
products are a better option than this long before ingesting more. For
smoking, as their effects last longer people using marijuana for medical
and they can be manufactured with reasons, higher doses are sometimes
precise doses that more reliably necessary to relieve pain.
meet patients’ needs (similar to how
prescription medicines have very The Drug Policy Alliance believes that
specific dosages). marijuana edible products should be
regulated and labeled with detailed
As with any drug or alcohol, it’s information to keep consumers safe;
very important to understand and that all of these products are kept
how much you’re ingesting, so as away from children.
not to go overboard. Consuming
10-25 milligrams of THC (the psycho-
active ingredient in marijuana)
causes psychoactive effects that
regularly last about four to six hours
(and sometimes longer). How your
body responds will depend on your
www.drugpolicy.org 15
What are marijuana
concentrates?
16 Marijuana Facts
www.drugpolicy.org 17
Should I talk to my child
about marijuana?
Keeping teens safe must be our Make it abundantly clear that you
top priority. Despite parents’ are concerned primarily with their
wishes for teenagers to abstain safety, and that they have someone
from using marijuana, the fact is, to turn to if they need help. If they
many will experiment. To protect find themselves in a compromising
them, empower your child to make or uncomfortable situation, they need
responsible decisions by providing to trust that you will come to their
them with honest, science-based aid immediately.
information and teaching them
the legal and social consequences If the subject comes up with younger
of drug use. children, whose use is (hopefully)
not even on the table, stick to the
When it comes to the “drug basic facts. Explain that for some,
talk,” be prepared to listen to marijuana is a medicine; and while
their thoughts and feelings, and some adults use it to relax, similar to
remain as nonjudgmental as beer and wine, it can be damaging to
possible. Let them know they can young and developing bodies and is
talk freely. Emphasize that you’d not appropriate, or legal, for kids. For
prefer that they don’t experiment more information on this topic please
with marijuana because it could see the Drug Policy Alliance’s booklet
impact their growing brain, but if on this topic, Safety First.
they do, stress the importance of
moderation. Heavy/daily marijuana
use among very young teenagers
is most problematic, which is why
marijuana legalization laws restrict
use to those ages 21 and over.
18 Marijuana Facts
Where in the U.S. is
marijuana legal?
www.drugpolicy.org 19
Where in the
U.S. is marijuana legal? (cont.)
No matter where you are in the Colorado and Washington (the first
country, marijuana is illegal to two states to legalize and regulate
transport across state lines; it’s marijuana for recreational use) are
always illegal to drive under the showing just how successful ending
influence; and it’s illegal to use if prohibition can be. For example,
you’re under 21 (unless you’re a in 2015, just the second full fiscal
medical marijuana patient). year after implementation, Colorado
collected over $129 million in
The recreational use of marijuana marijuana taxes and fees, and
is legal in Washington, D.C. and the state of Washington collected
eight states: Alaska, California, $220 million. Additionally, arrests
Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, and charges have plummeted in
Nevada, Oregon and Washington. these states, saving additional
Twenty-one additional states have public expenditures and freeing
legalized medical marijuana: up police and the entire criminal
Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, justice system to address more
Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, serious crimes.
Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota,
Montana, New Hampshire, New While communities of color have
Jersey, New Mexico, New York, borne the brunt of marijuana
North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, enforcement, they also experience
Rhode Island, Vermont and formidable barriers to entry in the
West Virginia. emerging legal marijuana industry.
Some recent reforms have taken
In addition to the eight states steps to begin to address this
that have legalized marijuana, problem. California’s marijuana
13 other states have decriminalized legalization law, passed by voters
marijuana to some degree. in 2016, contains a wide range of
anti-monopoly and anti-discrimination
measures aimed at ensuring equity
in the industry.
20 Marijuana Facts
Poll: Do you think the
use of marijuana should be legal?
90
80 73% 73%
70%
70 64% 64% 64%
70% 60% 60%
60 66% 54%
62%
50 58%
40%
40 34% 34% 44%
30 28% 25% 36%
39% 39%
31% 34%
20 25% 25%
23%
10
1977 1981 1985 1989 1993 1997 2001 2005 2009 2013 2017
Lindesmith
Drug Policy CO and WA
Center founded
Foundation legalize
founded marijuana
CA becomes 1st
medical marijuana state
Source: Gallup
www.drugpolicy.org 21
Does marijuana
legalization lead to
increased use?
Changes in marijuana laws have to marijuana as it moves from the
not been found to have a significant unregulated streets – where there
impact on rates of adult use. are no age requirements – to inside
According to the National Academy licensed dispensaries, where you
of Sciences, “There is little evidence need to be 21 to purchase marijuana.
that decriminalization of marijuana
use necessarily leads to a substantial In Colorado, adolescent marijuana
increase in marijuana use.” use has declined slightly since
marijuana was legalized in 2012,
In short: according to a comprehensive
survey conducted in 2015 by the
legal access ≠ state’s departments of education,
human resources, health, and
increased use. the environment.
22 Marijuana Facts
Do people still get
arrested and punished
for using marijuana?
Believe it or not, despite the Americans. Artists and performers
marijuana law reforms in several – especially Black jazz musicians –
states, there are still more arrests were also common targets. Today,
for marijuana possession every Latino and Black communities are
year than for all violent crimes still subject to wildly disproportionate
combined. marijuana enforcement practices,
despite the fact that these groups are
643,121 people were arrested for no more likely than white people to
marijuana law violations in 2016 – use or sell marijuana.
comprising almost half (45 percent) of
all drug arrests in the U.S. That’s one These arrests can create permanent
marijuana arrest every 45 seconds! criminal records that can easily be
On top of that, 84 percent of these found on the internet by employers,
arrests were for simple possession, landlords, schools, credit agencies
not for selling or manufacturing. and banks. And it can result in loss
of employment, financial aid, housing
All of these arrests are not cheap, and child custody. In many U.S.
either. U.S. states spend more than states, a marijuana possession arrest
$3 billion enforcing marijuana can still lead to months or even years
prohibition every year. behind bars. Clearly, a marijuana
arrest is no small matter.
Sadly, these arrests are largely based
on racial prejudice and politics. Over the past two decades, a
The first anti-marijuana laws during powerful movement of people across
the 1910s and 20s, were directed the political spectrum has emerged
at Mexican migrants and Mexican to fight for more sensible marijuana
laws. To learn more and get involved,
please visit www.drugpolicy.org.
24 Marijuana Facts
California
Bay Area, CA
oakland@drugpolicy.org
Los Angeles, CA
la@drugpolicy.org
Concerns
Colorado
Denver, CO
About
co@drugpolicy.org
Overdose
District of Columbia
Washington, D.C.
dc@drugpolicy.org
New Jersey
Trenton, NJ
nj@drugpolicy.org
New Mexico
Santa Fe, NM
nm@drugpolicy.org
New York
Drug Policy Alliance
Headquarters
131 West 33rd Street
15th Floor
New York, NY 10001
212.613.8020 voice
212.613.8021 fax
nyc@drugpolicy.org
www.drugpolicy.org
26 Marijuana Facts