So decades of keeping it in the same category as heroin and cocaine has not only destroyed the lives of thousands of young people, it has added to their problem.
A survey of more than 216,000 adolescents from all 50 states indicates the number of teens with marijuana-related problems is declining.
Similarly, the rates of marijuana use by young people are falling despite the fact more U.S. states are legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana use and the number of adults using the drug has increased.Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis examined data on drug use collected from young people, ages 12 to 17, over a 12-year span. They found that the number of adolescents who had problems related to marijuana — such as becoming dependent on the drug or having trouble in school and in relationships — declined by 24 percent from 2002 to 2013.
Of course prohibition did manage to create a massive market for pharmaceutical drugs to treat troubled youths and added millions of dollars to the coffers and corruption of police departments across the US so I guess it’s not a total loss.
Stannous Flouride's Book of Truthiness 