Baby boomers fuel jump in pot use

Salt Lake Tribune ^ | 5/5/04 | Lindsey Tanner

[qam1]

CHICAGO -- Habitual marijuana use increased among U.S. adults over the past decade, particularly among young minorities and baby boomers, government figures show.

The prevalence of marijuana abuse or dependence climbed from 1.2 percent of adults in 1991-92 to 1.5 percent in 2001-02, or an estimated 3 million adults 18 and over.

That represents an increase of 800,000 people, according to data from two nationally representative surveys that each queried more than 40,000 adults.

Among 18- to 29-year-olds, the rate of abuse or dependence remained stable among whites but surged by about 220 percent among black men and women, to 4.5 percent of that population, and by almost 150 percent among Latino men, to 4.7 percent.

Among all adults ages 45 to 64, the rate increased by 355 percent, to about 0.4 percent of that population. The report, published in today's Journal of the American Medical Association, was led by Wilson Compton of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, who said the rise in dependence was probably due at least partly to increases in the potency of pot over the past decade.

Also, the figures may indicate that baby boomers "bring their bad habits with them into old age," he said. The researchers said adults were considered marijuana abusers if repeated use of the drug hurt their ability to function at work, in school or in social situations, or created drug-related legal problems.

Drug users were considered dependent if they experienced increased tolerance of marijuana, used it compulsively and continued using it despite drug-related physical or psychological problems.

Overall use of the drug -- that is, casual use and habitual use -- remained stable at around 4 percent of adults.

"This study suggests that we need to develop ways to monitor the continued rise in marijuana abuse and dependence and strengthen existing prevention and intervention efforts," said Nora Volkow, the institute's director. Programs that target young black and Latino adults are particularly needed, she said.

Increases in dependence among young minorities may reflect their growing assimilation into sectors of white society where marijuana use is more accepted, Compton said.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism contributed to the report.

[stands2reason]

$400? Here in NY it's $225 - $250.

Helps being on the border. Actually, I don't know real oz. price for BCBud here in Texas --I'm sure it's pretty much unattainable here in West Texas (unless you move with the right crowds) ---I only knew of it being sold by the sack for $100 in Austin.

I wouldn't want anything to do with anything that costs $50/oz...

No it's not "two hits and you're gone" but it's ten times better than what the hippies smoked in the 60's...

[Protagoras]

Well, sounds like I'm pretty consistent

First time u have been 100% right on. You are consistently boring and arrogant. Not to mention a lightweight poster, despite your own opinion and your little "hall of fame" quotes.

If they had an ignore button on FR, you wouldn't get any posts back at all after a few weeks.

[Ken H]

None of these esteemed newspapers or wire services chose to quote even a single expert or advocate skeptical of the government line.

They might want to do this in light of incidents such as the faulty research scandal from Johns Hopkins.

None of them seems to have considered the possibility that our government might spin the data in order to match its Drug War policies.

The mainstream liberal press will always spin for big government.

[CSM]

Robert,

Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed yesterday? Usually your posts are void of name calling and rhetoric. Although we may disagree, you generally post with respect to others. Therefore, I was surprised to see the name calling and rhetoric. Then you respond by equating me to reporters blaming GWB for 9/11. I'll chalk it up to other stresses in your life.

Regarding King, he has been allowed to stay on this board for much longer than the confirmed monikors that MrLeroy used to re-enter FR. I would bet that King has been investigated by the admins, based on all the accusations by some FR members. IIRC, I saw posts from JR confirming that King is not MrLeroy. I will try to find one and post it here for you.

Personally, I never could figure out why MrLeroy was banned in the first place. He seemed to post with more politeness than other posters opposing his views. (No, I'm not referring to you.)

[CSM]

"What's it to you? The person I posted to understood everything otherwise why isn't he asking me the same question? I didn't initially contact any of these other posters, they contacted me. I still think one is a troll."

Typical response from someone devoid of logic. Let's recap your posting. You accuse someone of being a meth user, without identifying that someone. Other posters reply to your post and you accuse them of taking it out of context. I explain you can't take statements out of context when the context was never made. Now you aks "what is it to me?"

If you want to make private posts to your fellow Freepers, you can always Freepmail them. Then you won't have to worry about your comments being taken out of context.

Of course, this is the typical attitude of WODers. Baseless accusations and not clarifying context of posts.

[CSM]

Just like the redifining of "obesity" to create an epedimic allowing for government actions in regulating diets. Of course, the door is open for consumption monitoring and some Freepers are in full support.

[robertpaulsen]

I can't remember the last time you posted something that added to the discussion. No articles, links, statistics, cites, studies, ... nothing. Seriously.

Now, I'm not saying that you have to. But if all you have to offer is nothing more than insults and criticism, why do you post here? Over at DU, that's all they do -- wouldn't you be more comfortable there?

[robertpaulsen]

"Then you respond by equating me to reporters blaming GWB for 9/11."

Sorry, but that's what it reminded me of.

As you should realize by now, I'm a law and order kind of guy. Why would you think I would be tolerant of someone who breaks posting rules and sneaks back on the board what, 6 or 8 times now? Much less show them respect!

I guess their behavior is OK with you, but the people who criticize that behavior are mean and "stressed". You sound just like the liberals who are taking this country down the toilet.

Where's your tolerance, robertpaulsen? MrLeRoy's polite, robertpaulsen. I'm not 100% absolutely positive that The kings dead is really, truly MrLeRoy, robertpaulsen, and I think I may remember someone else who said that, also.

CSM, get a pair and stop your crying. You're embarrassing me.

I don't know why MrLeRoy was banned. But banned he was. If and when he's allowed back on FR, I'll treat him with the respect he earns.

[Protagoras]

My criticism is of people like you. And it is well placed. Seriously.

Over at DU, that's all they do -- wouldn't you be more comfortable there?

I'm sure you have intimate knowledge of DU. I'm quite sure you post there.

You are a bandwidth thief here.

[CSM]

If you are such a law and order guy, why do you keep making accusations with no facts to support the accusations. I suppose your brand of law and order would be to kill em all and let god sort em out! Sorry, but I tend to lean towards the innocent until PROVEN guilty.

You may think my post sounds Liberal for stating that no proof had been offerred that he was MrLeroy. I guess any statement except fascism would sound liberal to you.

After your last couple of posts to me, you don't deserve to get any respect from me. Consider this notice of being placed on my ignore list. It's to bad your attitude has changed so much, in the past I actually enjoyed some debates with you.

[Protagoras]

It's to bad your attitude has changed so much, in the past I actually enjoyed some debates with you.

Expect the last part of your post to appear soon on his profile page. LOL

A person can only hide their true nature for a while. Sooner or later the real person comes through loud and clear.

[robertpaulsen]

"Sooner or later the real person comes through loud and clear."

Actually what happens is one gets tired of dealing with whiners, crybabies, and ignorant posters with nothing to offer. Especially when they just pop up and inject themselves into the middle of an informative debate.

I just find myself with less and less tolerance for posters like that. I can accept honest criticism, but things like "You're boring" and "You're mean" are juvenile, and that's the way I'll treat the posters of them.

[Protagoras]

I'm convinced now.

You are an informative debater and everyone else is a whiner, crybaby, and ignorant poster with nothing to offer.

Thanks for clarifying that.

I think we have seen the real person here, carry on. On to the next drug thread and your real agenda.

BTW, just for grins, what if anything have you ever personally done to help with the problems caused by excessive use of recreational substances?

I assume you have used them in the past so you know what you are talking about. Correct?

[robertpaulsen]

"You are an informative debater and everyone else is a whiner, crybaby, and ignorant poster with nothing to offer."

No, I try to be an informed debater who adds to the discussion, and everyone who is a whiner, crybaby, and ignorant poster with nothing to offer is dealt with accordingly.

There are some really good posters and debaters on this board. Why should I waste my time and talents with people who just want to call me names?

For reasons that are obvious, my use or non-use of drugs, past or present, is irrelevant to the discussion. And I've said this before.

Oh geez, I just hate to get you off-topic, but I was wondering if you had anything to add on the statement that "Habitual marijuana use increased among U.S. adults over the past decade"? You know, the subject of this article?

[Protagoras]

For reasons that are obvious, my use or non-use of drugs, past or present, is irrelevant to the discussion. And I've said this before.

It's not obvious at all. Please let us know what you have done to help with the problems you perceive and whether or not you have any first hand experience to draw upon concerning your obsession with other's usage.

[tertiary01]

You must be part of a tag team with the Protagoras person , or maybe you are the same person under a different name. No more argument from me. Woe is those who get between a person and their addiction.

[Protagoras]

Woe is those who get between a person and their addiction.

What addiction is that?

[CSM]

The addiction to making baseless accusations and not placing your comments in context? Or the addiction of replying to posters with the claim of them taking your comments out of context? Or the addiction of posting private replies on the public thread?

I humbly apologize for trying to get between you and your addictions.