cannabisculture.com
Study proves decriminalization of marijuana does not increase use

The May issue of the American Journal of Public Health published the results of the first rigorous inquiry into whether the legal status of our plant affects the frequency of consumption. This study, funded by the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the Dutch Ministry of Health, in comparing use between consumers in Amsterdam where it has been legal to purchase small amounts for personal use since 1976 and San Francisco where recreational cannabis is completely illegal, found there were no differences between the two cities in age at onset of use, age at first regular use, or age at the start of maximum use.

Highlights of the study include:

• The mean age at onset of use was 16.95 years in Amsterdam and 16.43 years in San Francisco.

• The mean age at which respondents began using marijuana more than once per month was 19.11 years in Amsterdam and 18.81 years in San Francisco.

• In both cities, users began their periods of maximum use about two years after they began regular use: 21.46 years in Amsterdam and 21.98 years in San Francisco.

• About 75 percent in both cities had used cannabis less than once per week or not at all in the year before the interview.

• Majorities of experienced users in both cities never used marijuana daily or in large amounts even during their periods of peak use, and use declined after those peak periods.

The study found no evidence to support claims that criminalization reduces use or that decriminalization increases use.

“The results of this study shift the burden of proof now to those who would arrest hundreds of thousands of Americans each year on the grounds that it deters use,” said [co-author] Reinarman.

Not to mention justifying the billions in tax dollars it costs to prosecute this war on responsible cannabis consumers.