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Marijuana usance continue to become effectual in more places , but that does n’t have in mind the drug ’s popularity among adolescents is rise , a newfangled study finds .
Although disapproval of marijuana use has decrease dramatically among young adult — suggesting that this old age group is look at the drug less negatively — that ’s not the character for younger teenager , according to the study .
The investigator found that disfavour of marijuana use has actually increase among adolescents ages 12 to 14 . In 2013 , 79 pct of kids in this age group said they strongly disapprove of people using marijuana , up from 74 pct who said the same in 2002 . [ Where Americans fume and Grow Marijuana ( Maps ) ]
The finding " was surprising , " given the growinglegalizationof the drug , said Christopher Salas - Wright , an assistant professor of social body of work at the University of Texas at Austin and the lead researcher onthe study , published Sept. 16 in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse .
In the study , the researchers looked at data collected between 2002 and 2013 in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health , a annual survey of about 70,000 arbitrarily pick out people ages 12 and previous . The researchers looked at three groups of adolescents and youthful adults : younger adolescents ( ages 12 to 14 ) , older adolescents ( long time 15 to 17 ) and untested adults ( ages 18 to 25 ) .
In addition to enquire how teens and untried adults viewed marijuana use , the research worker looked at how the rates of marijuana use have changed over clip .
Over the report menses , the researchers found , thepercentage of adolescent using marijuana fall , Salas - Wright evidence Live Science . In 2013 , 4.5 percent of younger teenager report using the drug in retiring class , down from 6 percent in 2002 . In older adolescents , rates drop from 26 pct in 2002 to 22 pct in 2013 , accord to the cogitation .
charge per unit ofmarijuana useamong immature grownup did not commute dramatically during the study flow , even though the researcher observed substantive change in young adult ' views of the drug , he said . In 2013 , 23 percent of youthful adults said they strongly disapproved of marijuana use , down from 41 percent in 2002 , according to the study .
Marijuana can have negative effects on the great unwashed ’s wellness , and some research worker have been concerned that marijuana ’s legalization could alter attitudes toward the drug — perhaps making its use seem more normal or acceptable .
" This is the first study to show that small disapproval towards marijuana use is not of necessity such a heavy risk factor [ as ] we once thought it was , " said Joseph Palamar , an adjunct professor of population health at New York University , who was not involve in the subject area .
" Many study have find out strong links between disapproval and marijuana use , but this study found that unseasoned adults are account lower levels of disapproval even though they ’re not using [ the drug ] , " Palamar severalize Live Science .
more often than not , " fall disapproval ” levels in studies imply that hoi polloi hold a " to each his own " attitude , he said . People should n’t confuse " decreasing dislike " with " increase approving , " he said .
Recreational and aesculapian marijuana utilization is progressively becoming effectual in the U.S. so it is no surprise that disapproval towards use is decrease , he said . However , it appears that people ’s disfavour of the drug began to lessen before more liberal marijuana laws were ordain , “ so attitudes appear to affect laws , rather than the other way around . ”
The results of the study do n’t mean that parents no longer call for to have the " drug lecture " with their vernal teens , though .
" While we obviously do n’t want to promote marijuana use among teen , it ’s important for parents and teachers not to demonstrate brand towards user ; otherwise , those who use or are think about using may not feel comfortable asking for advice or information , " Palamar enounce .
For instance , if a teenager has developed an issue with marijuana role , he or she should feel prosperous approaching parents or teachers for help , he said .
" Disapproval and stigma mayprevent some people from using marijuana , but this can work against our prevention , and harm step-down campaign in the recollective run , " Palamar said .
The new findings evoke that " it ’s time to focus onmarijuana use as a health issueand not a moral issue , " he lend .
