Growth in Marijuana Use Among American Youths During the 1990s and the Extent of Blunt Smoking

• NCJ Number: 214387
• Journal: Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse Volume: 4 Issue: 3/4 Dated: 2005 Pages: 1-21
• Author(s): Andrew Golub Ph.D.; Bruce D. Johnson Ph.D; Eloise Dunlap Ph.D.
• Date Published: 2005
• Length: 21 pages
• Grant Number(s): R01DA13690-04; R01DA09056-03
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Using data collected by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) in the period 1979-2003, this study examined marijuana use among American youths and young adults.

Abstract

Findings are consistent with evidence that suggests smoking “blunts” (marijuana cigars) is concentrated in the inner-city Hip Hop culture. Public health agencies should identify the physical and mental health risks associated with blunt smoking and develop programs to address them, since the consequences of blunt smoking may differ from those associated with other forms of marijuana use. In 1979, the peak rate of marijuana use was among 18-20 year-olds at 40 percent, followed by 33 percent among 21-25 year-olds. The rate of marijuana use among 12-17 year-olds in 1979 was 17 percent. During the 1980s, marijuana use declined overall and within each age category. During the 1990s, the overall rate of marijuana use was approximately 5 percent. In 1993, marijuana use started to increase among persons ages 12-20, from 11 percent in 1992 to 17 percent in 1996 among 18-20 year-olds. From 1996 to 2000, marijuana use among 12-17 and 18-20 year-olds leveled off at approximately 8 percent and 18 percent, respectively. In the years 2000-2003, lifetime marijuana use among 12-17 year-olds was 19.6 percent, and past 30-day use was 7.8 percent. In 2000-03, about half of all marijuana users age 12-17 smoked blunts. Blunt smoking was more common among Blacks, older teens, males, and those living in metropolitan areas. The trend analyses presented in this report are based on the 512,169 responses available in public-use data files for NSDUH surveys conducted in 1979, 1982, 1985, 1988, and 1990-2003. From 1979 through 1990, the NSDUH sampled noninstitutionalized household members in the 48 contiguous States. Starting in 1991, the target population was expanded to include all 50 States and residents of noninstitutional group quarters. In 1999, the survey was expanded in order to support State-level estimates of drug use. 4 figures, 4 tables, and 34 references