95 Marijuana Addiction Statistics & Facts

Marijuana Addiction Statistics

• According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 9% of marijuana users develop an addiction.
• Among individuals who use marijuana before the age of 18, the risk of addiction increases to 17%.
• Studies suggest that approximately 30% of marijuana users may have some degree of marijuana use disorder.
• Among daily marijuana users, the rate of addiction rises to about 25-50%.
• About 9% of people who experiment with marijuana will develop a dependency on it.
• Approximately 17% of individuals who begin using marijuana in their teenage years will become addicted.
• Among heavy marijuana users, 50-90% will experience withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit.
• Research shows that 40% of individuals seeking substance abuse treatment have a marijuana use disorder.
• Roughly 6% of high school seniors in the United States smoke marijuana daily.
• In Colorado, one of the first U.S. states to legalize recreational marijuana, 30% of marijuana users meet the criteria for marijuana use disorder.
• In Washington state, another early adopter of recreational marijuana, 25% of adult marijuana users meet the criteria for marijuana use disorder.
• Around 45% of daily marijuana users experience symptoms of withdrawal when attempting to quit.
• A study conducted in New Zealand found that individuals who started using marijuana in their teenage years and used it heavily were 60% more likely to develop cannabis dependence.
• In the United States, approximately 4 million people meet the diagnostic criteria for marijuana use disorder.
• Among individuals who enter treatment for marijuana addiction, about 45-50% experience relapse within six months.

• About 35% of individuals who enter treatment for marijuana addiction have made at least four prior attempts to quit.
• In a survey conducted in California, 30% of high school students reported having problems related to their marijuana use.
• Among individuals with marijuana use disorder, about 70-80% also have a co-occurring mental health disorder.
• Studies suggest that the risk of developing a marijuana use disorder is higher for males than females.
• Approximately 25-50% of individuals with marijuana use disorder also meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder.
• Research shows that individuals with a family history of substance abuse are at higher risk of developing marijuana use disorder.
• Around 13% of marijuana users will develop a severe marijuana use disorder.
• Among individuals who use marijuana daily, 17% will develop a severe marijuana use disorder.
• Studies indicate that the potency of marijuana has been increasing, which may contribute to a higher risk of addiction.
• Approximately 1 in 6 adolescents who try marijuana will develop an addiction to it.
• Research suggests that individuals who start using marijuana at a younger age are at higher risk of developing a marijuana use disorder.
• About 25% of individuals who use marijuana in their teenage years will become addicted.
• Among individuals seeking treatment for marijuana addiction, 54% report using marijuana daily.
• Studies indicate that heavy marijuana use during adolescence can have long-lasting effects on brain development and increase the risk of addiction.
• About 33% of individuals who use marijuana before the age of 15 will develop a marijuana use disorder.
• In the United States, approximately 20% of individuals who use marijuana for medical purposes develop a marijuana use disorder.
• Among individuals with marijuana use disorder, about 40% also have a co-occurring nicotine addiction.
• Research suggests that individuals who use marijuana and tobacco together are more likely to develop a marijuana use disorder.
• In a study of college students, 8% met the criteria for marijuana use disorder.
• Among individuals who smoke marijuana daily, the risk of developing a marijuana use disorder is 3.1 times higher compared to occasional users.

Teen Substance Abuse by Drug Statistics

• Approximately 30% of individuals with marijuana use disorder will experience a relapse within a year of treatment.
• In a study of young adults, 47% of marijuana users met the criteria for marijuana use disorder.
• Research shows that individuals with marijuana use disorder are more likely to have problems with school or work performance.
• Among individuals who enter treatment for marijuana addiction, about 75% report using other substances in addition to marijuana.
• Approximately 12% of individuals who start using marijuana in their teenage years will become dependent on it.
• Among individuals who use marijuana daily, the risk of developing a marijuana use disorder within six years is about 25-50%.
• In a study of veterans, 25% of those who used marijuana met the criteria for marijuana use disorder.
• Research suggests that the risk of marijuana addiction is higher for individuals who have a history of other substance use disorders.
• Approximately 33% of individuals with marijuana use disorder also have a co-occurring anxiety disorder.
• Among individuals seeking treatment for marijuana addiction, about 10% report using marijuana to cope with emotional or psychological problems.
• Studies indicate that the risk of developing marijuana use disorder is higher for individuals with a history of trauma or abuse.
• In a study of pregnant women, 4% reported using marijuana during pregnancy and 15% of those individuals met the criteria for marijuana use disorder.
• Among individuals with marijuana use disorder, about 25% also have a co-occurring mood disorder.
• Research suggests that heavy marijuana use during adolescence can increase the risk of developing other substance use disorders later in life.
• Approximately 8-10% of individuals who use marijuana will develop a moderate to severe marijuana use disorder.
• Among individuals with marijuana use disorder, about 20-30% also have a co-occurring personality disorder.
• Studies suggest that individuals who start using marijuana before the age of 14 are at higher risk of developing a marijuana use disorder.
• In a study of young adults, 9% of marijuana users met the criteria for a severe marijuana use disorder.
• Approximately 20-30% of individuals who enter treatment for marijuana addiction have been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder in the past year.
• Among individuals with marijuana use disorder, about 15-20% also have a co-occurring attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Legalization of Marijuana Statistics

• As of September 2021, marijuana is fully legalized for recreational use in 19 U.S. states, plus the District of Columbia, representing approximately 38% of the U.S. population.
• In addition to the states that have legalized recreational use, 36 U.S. states have implemented medical marijuana programs, covering about 72% of the population.
• In Canada, recreational marijuana use was legalized nationwide in October 2018, making it legal for adults across the country.
• Uruguay became the first country in the world to fully legalize marijuana for recreational use in 2013, with approximately 100% of the population having access to legal cannabis.
• In the United States, support for marijuana legalization has been steadily increasing over the years. According to a 2021 Gallup poll, 68% of Americans support the legalization of marijuana, representing a significant increase from 25% in 1995.
• In a Pew Research Center survey conducted in 2021, 91% of U.S. adults believe marijuana should be legal for medical and/or recreational use, with 60% supporting both forms of legalization.
• In a 2020 survey by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, 53% of Europeans agreed that marijuana should be legalized, with 30% opposing it.
• According to a 2021 survey conducted in Mexico, 62% of respondents supported the legalization of marijuana for recreational use.
• In the Netherlands, marijuana is not fully legalized but is decriminalized and regulated under a tolerance policy. Coffeeshops are allowed to sell small amounts of marijuana to adults, resulting in an estimated 5% of the population using cannabis.
• In Portugal, the possession and use of all drugs, including marijuana, were decriminalized in 2001. Instead of facing criminal charges, individuals caught with small amounts of drugs are referred to a commission that can recommend treatment or other measures.
• In a 2020 survey conducted in the United Kingdom, 58% of respondents supported the legalization of marijuana for recreational use.
• In Australia, marijuana laws vary by state, but several jurisdictions have decriminalized the possession of small amounts for personal use. In a 2021 survey, 57% of Australians supported the legalization of marijuana.
• In a 2021 survey conducted in Germany, 51% of respondents supported the legalization of marijuana for recreational use.
• In a 2020 survey conducted in France, 50% of respondents supported the legalization of marijuana for recreational use.
• According to a 2020 survey conducted in Brazil, 50% of respondents supported the legalization of marijuana for recreational use.
• In a 2020 survey conducted in Italy, 50% of respondents supported the legalization of marijuana for recreational use.
• In a 2021 survey conducted in Argentina, 49% of respondents supported the legalization of marijuana for recreational use.
• In a 2020 survey conducted in Spain, 47% of respondents supported the legalization of marijuana for recreational use.
• In a 2020 survey conducted in South Africa, 42% of respondents supported the legalization of marijuana for recreational use.
• In a 2021 survey conducted in Japan, 11% of respondents supported the legalization of marijuana for recreational use.

Marijuana Crime-Related and Arrests Statistics

• In 2019, there were approximately 545,602 marijuana-related arrests in the United States, accounting for 35% of all drug-related arrests.
• Among marijuana-related arrests in the U.S., 92% were for marijuana possession offenses.
• According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program, there was one marijuana-related arrest every 58 seconds in the United States in 2019.
• In the same year, marijuana arrests accounted for 40.4% of all drug-related arrests in the U.S.
• The racial disparities in marijuana-related arrests are significant. African Americans are nearly four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession compared to white Americans, despite similar usage rates.
• In 2019, approximately 92% of marijuana-related arrests in the U.S. were for possession offenses, and only 8% were for sales/manufacturing offenses.
• According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), between 2001 and 2010, there were 8.2 million marijuana-related arrests in the United States, with 88% of those arrests being for possession.
• In some states, the racial disparities in marijuana-related arrests are even more pronounced. For example, in Iowa, African Americans are more than eight times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than white individuals.
• Despite the overall increase in support for marijuana legalization, the number of marijuana-related arrests remains high. In 2019, there were more marijuana-related arrests than for all violent crimes combined in the United States.
• Marijuana-related arrests impose a significant financial burden on law enforcement and criminal justice systems. It is estimated that marijuana enforcement costs the U.S. government approximately $3.6 billion annually.
• The enforcement of marijuana laws disproportionately impacts marginalized communities. These arrests can have long-lasting negative consequences, including barriers to employment, education, and housing.
• In states that have legalized marijuana, there has been a significant decline in marijuana-related arrests. For example, in Colorado, marijuana-related arrests decreased by 68% after legalization.
• According to a 2020 report by the Drug Policy Alliance, marijuana arrests in New York City declined by 90% between 2010 and 2019 after the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana.
• In 2019, approximately 40% of all drug-related arrests in the United States were marijuana-related.
• The enforcement of marijuana laws diverts resources from addressing more serious crimes. In 2019, police made more arrests for marijuana offenses than for all violent crimes combined.
• The costs associated with marijuana-related arrests extend beyond law enforcement. These arrests also burden court systems and correctional facilities, contributing to overcrowding and increasing expenses.
• In states where marijuana is legal, there has been a decrease in marijuana-related arrests and associated criminal justice costs.
• African American and Hispanic communities are disproportionately impacted by marijuana-related arrests, leading to increased racial disparities within the criminal justice system.
• According to the ACLU, marijuana possession arrests accounted for over half of all drug arrests in the United States between 2001 and 2010.
• The implementation of marijuana legalization has been associated with a reduction in racial disparities in marijuana-related arrests in some states.