Legal or not, marijuana use has doubled in the period which started in 2001/2002 and ended in 2012/2013. Unfortunately, so did abuse and dependence. Although new research on the subject did not tell exactly whether these problems get worse as marijuana becomes legal in more states, it has to be an anxiety.

According to research published in JAMA Psychiatry:

The prevalence of marijuana use more than doubled between 2001-2002 and 2012-2013, and there was a large increase in marijuana use disorders during that time. While not all marijuana users experience problems, nearly 3 of 10 marijuana users manifested a marijuana use disorder in 2012-2013. Because the risk for marijuana use disorder did not increase among users, the increase in prevalence of marijuana use disorder is owing to an increase in prevalence of users in the US adult population. Given changing laws and attitudes toward marijuana, a balanced presentation of the likelihood of adverse consequences of marijuana use to policy makers, professionals, and the public is needed.

The research likely will not dissuade state legislatures from voting to make marijuana use legal, or a misdemeanor, as both public opinion and the desire for increasing the tax base are strong incentives. However, states that have made marijuana use legal have not seen a large yield from taxes and levies on income from operations that grow or sell it.

Abuse carries potential costs to states, as some number of people enter the medical system for treatment. Not all these people will have medical insurance that will cover the costs. Actually, it is unlikely that most insurance plans even address the problem.

If the federal government eventually makes pot use legal across the country, the decision will not come without substantial medical risks. Like alcohol, marijuana may become a public health problem.

ALSO READ: Will Canada’s Trudeau Make Good on Promise to Legalize Marijuana?

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